Caregiving responsibilities are quietly reshaping women’s career decisions in India. A latest survey by a global hiring platform says 83 percent of women chose not to apply for a job because they felt it would be difficult to manage alongside caregiving duties.
The survey by Indeed noted that whether it is childcare, elder care, or household responsibilities, these demands are increasingly influencing not just work-life balance, but even the first step of the job search itself.
Perhaps even more striking is the trade-off women are willing to make. Nearly 8 in 10 respondents said they would either accept lower pay (45%) or consider it (34%) if it meant better flexibility and work-life balance.
This signals a shift in how value is being defined at work; time and control are becoming as important as salary.
“While caregiving responsibilities are shared across many households, the survey highlights how women in India continue to factor these demands into important career decisions. Women remain ambitious, but many are increasingly selective about roles that fit the realities of caregiving. Employers that offer genuine flexibility and clearer expectations are better positioned to attract and retain them," Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India, said.
As companies continue to push for return-to-office models, resistance is clearly visible among women candidates. The survey found that 51% of respondents had already turned down a job interview or offer due to office attendance requirements.
Rigid job descriptions are also proving to be a deal-breaker. Full-time office mandates (37%) and lack of flexibility in roles (34%) were cited as major red flags when assessing opportunities, it said.
In short, clarity and flexibility are no longer optional, they are decisive factors.
For working mothers in particular, the need for adaptable work structures is even stronger. Around 37% said hybrid or remote work would make the biggest positive difference to their careers, the study noted.
Encouragingly, 59% of respondents felt workplace flexibility has genuinely improved opportunities for mothers in India, while another 30% said it has helped to some extent. However, the gap between policy and practice still remains visible.
As more workplaces return to office-based models, the study noted that attendance expectations are increasingly shaping job decisions.
“51% of (women) respondents said they have turned down a job interview or offer because of office attendance requirements," it said.
The survey gathered responses from women across India, including major cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata. Respondents included working mothers, women currently on a career break, women who had returned to work after a break, and working women planning to have children.
