‘Microshifting: Revolutionizing Work for Women Over the Years’

Owl Labs conducted a September 2025 survey that introduced the concept of “microshifting.” This term reflects the reality many working mothers and caregivers have navigated for years. Microshifting involves breaking work into smaller, manageable segments interspersed with personal tasks. These tasks include school runs, fitness activities, and meal preparation. While the corporate world now acknowledges microshifting as an innovative trend, it has long been a survival tactic for many.

Understanding Microshifting

Microshifting is the practice of integrating work with personal responsibilities for improved productivity. For years, working mothers have engaged in this invisible choreography to balance their professional and caring roles. Their workdays often do not follow the traditional 9-to-5 pattern.

Statistics Highlighting the Challenge

Statistics reveal that women continue to bear the brunt of unpaid domestic duties and caregiving. Many are not only maintaining careers but are also engaged in a second, unpaid shift at home.

• Women disproportionately manage unpaid domestic work.
• Microshifting has emerged as a method for balancing these duties.

The Impact of Flexible Work Environments

The rise of hybrid work environments, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, has made microshifting more acceptable. This shift allows women to engage in professional commitments while still fulfilling family responsibilities. Many have reported increased productivity and reduced stress when they can integrate work and life seamlessly.

Redefining Work-Life Balance

For many women, work-life balance transcends mental health or leisure activities. Instead, it often involves managing various pressing responsibilities. These include:

• Project deadlines
• Parent-teacher meetings
• Cooking dinners
• Caring for elderly relatives

It is about navigating complexities rather than achieving an ideal state of balance.

The Role of Employers in Embracing Microshifting

Employers play a crucial role in the acceptance of microshifting. Flexibility and trust need to be hallmarks of modern workplaces. Organizations should prioritize outcomes over the mere presence of employees at their desks. This shift in focus is essential for successful hybrid work arrangements.

Organizational Courage is Key

Despite the advantages of microshifting, many companies still cling to outdated productivity measures. To support working women effectively, businesses must embrace the flexibility offered by hybrid practices. Moving away from traditional models will require courage from organizational leaders and HR departments.

The Way Forward

Microshifting is not a new practice; it is a term that finally acknowledges the efforts of working mothers and caregivers. By recognizing microshifting as a legitimate business practice, companies can enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. The challenge now lies in whether organizations are ready to adapt and support this approach.