From navigating work deadlines to managing the mental load of household and caregiving responsibilities, many women are doing more than their fair share—often with less time and financial security to make up for it.
In fact, one of the biggest hidden drivers of financial stress in Australia is unpaid emotional labour. And for women, it’s costing more than just energy—it’s impacting long-term super balances and retirement outcomes.
In this blog, we explore how to talk to your employer about flexible working arrangements, how they affect your superannuation, and why planning this out carefully matters for your financial future.
What Do Flexible Working Arrangements Entail?
Flexible work isn’t just about logging in from home. It can include changes to how, when, or where you work—such as:
- Adjusted start or finish times
- Working part-time or in job shares
- Compressed working weeks
- Working remotely on some days
The Fair Work Ombudsman outlines that eligible employees (those employed for at least 12 months, or casuals with regular and systematic shifts) have the right to request flexible work. This includes employees who are:
- Parents or carers of school-going children
- Experiencing family or domestic violence
- Over 55 years old
- Living with a disability
Your employer must respond to your request in writing within 21 days and can only refuse on reasonable business grounds.
Learn more:Fair Work: Flexible Working ArrangementsBusiness.gov.au: Myth or Fact – Flexible Work
How Does It Affect My Super?
When you reduce your hours or take a break from work, your superannuation contributions drop too. Your retirement savings are directly tied to your work pattern.
This matters because women retire, on average, with less super than men—partly due to lower average earnings and partly because of time spent in unpaid care roles. The emotional labour and money connection is real, and it becomes painfully clear once women retire.
Planning for the financial future means understanding how each flexible work decision affects your super. If you’re cutting back hours or stepping out of the workforce temporarily, using a super calculator like the one offered in the eairwoman app can help you plan a recovery strategy—whether through voluntary contributions or by adjusting retirement timelines.
Why These Conversations Matter for Women
Too often, the mental load on women includes managing invisible logistics, scheduling family appointments, keeping the household running—and doing it all while trying to show up for work unfazed.
The truth is, women often absorb this extra burden silently, which can lead to career compromises and long-term financial disadvantage.
Having the confidence to discuss flexible work with your employer helps shift that burden from the invisible to the supported.
When approached proactively, these conversations can foster a healthier work-life balance and protect your long-term financial goals.
<h3>Tips for starting the conversation:</h3>
- Be clear about the arrangement you’re seeking
- Show how you’ll meet your responsibilities under the new model
- Focus on productivity and sustainability
- Reference your rights under the Fair Work Act
Planning Ahead with the eairwoman App
At eairwoman, we’ve designed tools to help women model their future and make informed decisions.
Our app’s What-If calculator lets you explore different work and contribution scenarios so you can understand the long-term impact on your super.
Planning flexible work doesn’t have to mean financial uncertainty. With the right tools, it can be part of a smart retirement strategy.
Conclusion
Flexible work can ease daily pressure—but it’s also a financial decision.
Understanding its implications for your super helps you stay in control of your financial future.
Start the conversation with your employer confidently and let eairwoman help you plan what comes next.
Ready for smart planning of your financial future? Download the eairwoman app to take the first step toward a retirement plan that works for you.
