{
  "id": 8159083,
  "title": "Support for women returning to work should start before they even leave their jobs, SCWO study finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/support-for-women-returning-to-work-should-start-before-they-even",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T03:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/women/scwo-study-women-return-work-support-6391291"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) study suggests that support for women returning to work should start well before they leave their current jobs. Flexible work arrangements were the most desired form of assistance among women polled, helping them stay employed, return after a career break, and remain in their positions. The study, titled \"Women's Workforce Re-entry: Challenges, Barriers & Opportunities,\" found that support must begin before a woman leaves the workforce and continue after she returns. Women at various life stages, including younger mothers, mid-career professionals, and women aged 50 to 65, participated in the research. Flexible work options emerged as the top desired support, cited by 61% of respondents. However, flexibility alone was not always sufficient for job sustainability, as workloads and career progression remained crucial factors. The study also revealed differing concerns among PMET and non-PMET employees regarding practical training, schedules, workplaces, and pay. SCWO plans to establish a Women's Workforce Inclusion & Re-Entry Working Group to address these issues across the return-to-work journey, from maintaining employment to finding suitable roles and post-return support.",
  "summary": "Flexible work arrangements were the most desired form of support among women polled, and could help them stay employed, return after a career break and remain in their jobs afterwards.",
  "key_points": [
    "Support for women returning to work should begin before they leave current jobs",
    "Flexible work arrangements desired by 61% of women polled",
    "SCWO to create Women's Workforce Inclusion & Re-Entry Working Group"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Employers can better support women's workforce continuity by offering flexible work arrangements and addressing concerns around workload and career progression before, during, and after career breaks.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Singapore",
        "title": "Support for women returning to work should start before they even leave their jobs, SCWO study finds",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/support-for-women-returning-to-work-should-start-before-they-even-8163021",
        "published": "2026-09-18T03:02:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}