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Gender Differences in Preferences for Flexible Work Hours: Experimental Evidence from an Online Freelancing Platform

Author

Listed:
  • Rakesh Banerjee

    (University of Exeter Business School)

  • Tushar Bharati

    (Economics Programme, University of Western Australia)

  • Adnan Fakir

    (University of Sussex Business School)

  • Yiwei Qian

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

We conducted an experiment on a major international online freelancing platform to examine how increased flexibility in daily work hours affects female participation. We post identical job advertisements (for 320 jobs) covering a wide range of tasks (80 distinct tasks) that differ only in flexibility and the wage offered. Comparing the numbers of applicants for these jobs, we find that, while both men and women prefer flexibility, the elasticity of response for women is twice that for men. Flexible jobs attracted 24% more women and 12% more men than inflexible ones. Importantly, these increases did not compromise the quality of the applications. In contrast, there is suggestive evidence that flexible jobs attracted higher-quality female candidates. Our findings have significant implications for understanding gender disparities in labor market outcomes and for shaping equity-focused policies of organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Rakesh Banerjee & Tushar Bharati & Adnan Fakir & Yiwei Qian, 2025. "Gender Differences in Preferences for Flexible Work Hours: Experimental Evidence from an Online Freelancing Platform," Economics Discussion / Working Papers 25-09, The University of Western Australia, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwa:wpaper:25-09
    Note: MD5 = 83bc1660ec2790703b09e250a0a2a7db
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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