Bitesize: 3 Lessons on Flexibility
When Meat Business Women launched its latest Global Gender Representation Report, one clear message came through: Flexibility matters.
In fact, nearly half of women told us that flexible working needs to become a higher priority in the future. Yet many still feel there is a gap between policy and reality.
For women navigating career progression alongside caring responsibilities, flexibility is often the difference between staying, progressing or stepping away from leadership altogether.
Drawing on insights from Jo Adams at K.A.G. Recruitment, here are three practical lessons for both individuals and employers.
Understand All Your Options
For many women, career decisions become more complex when family responsibilities enter the picture.
Jo's advice is to understand all available options before making any major decisions. This might include:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Job sharing
- Shared parental leave
- Childcare support
- Enhanced maternity or parental policies
Our research found that women aged 26–45 feel the impact of inflexible working most acutely. This is often the stage when careers accelerate, while many are also navigating young families or caring responsibilities.
Knowing what's available can help you make informed decisions about what works for you and your family.
There Is No Single Right Career Path
One of the most powerful points Jo makes is that there is no "right" answer when deciding whether to lean into your career or temporarily step back.
Every situation is different.
She encourages people to seek out examples of others who have taken different routes and learn from their experiences. Sometimes seeing the path someone else has walked can help us make sense of our own.
The key is remembering that career progression isn't always linear. A decision that is right for you today doesn't define your long-term ambition.
Focus on Results, Not Presenteeism
If businesses want to retain talent, flexibility has to move beyond policy documents.
Jo advocates for a results-focused culture:
"Everyone's needs are different, but so long as the work gets done, why does the how matter?"
Flexible working only succeeds when it's underpinned by trust, communication and clear expectations.
The businesses making the greatest progress are those focusing on outcomes, empowering managers and creating environments where flexibility is genuinely accepted.
As the food industry works towards greater gender balance, flexibility will continue to be a critical part of the conversation as it's essential for retaining and developing future leaders.
Connect with Jo on LinkedIn here
