Career Duality and Work Performance: Insights from Women in Bangladesh
This study looks into how womens professional success in Bangladesh is affected by career dualism, work-life balance, and cultural expectations. Data were gathered from thirty women in Dhaka who worked in the public, private, and self-employed sectors using a qualitative study methodology. The research utilized semi-structured interviews and theme analysis to effectively capture the intricacies of the participants perspectives, underscoring the subjective aspect of work-life balance. The participants brought to light considerable difficulties in juggling dual responsibilities as careers and professionals, which are made worse by inflexible gender stereotypes and restricted access to childcare facilities. The results show that womens ability to balance conflicting demands is greatly aided by family support, especially that provided by mothers and spouses. However, respondents said that the lack of maternity benefits, childcare services, and flexible schedules were substantial barriers and that workplace regulations frequently lacked the flexibility required to meet womens multiple obligations. The study also looks at the post-pandemic trend towards remote employment, which brought difficulties since it blurred the lines between home and professional life even while it offered flexibility. The critical need for institutional reforms-including the implementation of family-friendly workplace practices like paid parental leave, on-site daycare, and remote work options-is highlighted by this study. It also emphasizes how crucial cultural changes are to ease the burden on women who want to advance professionally but are under pressure to live up to conventional norms. To investigate the effects of career duality on professional womens long-term career growth and well-being, longitudinal research approaches should be used in future studies.
The number of women working in a variety of businesses and sectors worldwide has significantly increased in recent years. Advances in education, shifting social standards, and the need for dual-income households on the financial front have all contributed to this change. The global pandemic has made it more difficult for women to fulfil their disproportionate share of domestic and childcare tasks, despite these encouraging improvements. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) found that women worked three times as many hours on average as men did on unpaid household chores in 2022. This finding had an influence on womens capacity to grow in their careers and fully participate in professional jobs. Due to sociocultural expectations and a lack of institutional support, womens professional opportunities are further restricted in developing nations, where this mismatch is especially noticeable. The issue of career duality in Bangladesh, in which women handle the majority of family chores and their professional jobs concurrently, is a reflection of these global trends with some extra, particular complexity. Though womens economic contributions are becoming increasingly important, the nations traditional gender norms still place women primarily in the role of careers. Bangladesh has made great progress towards having more women in the labour force-the World Bank estimates that this percentage is currently about 36%-but there are still issues because of the dual job of household career and professional. Women are expected to manage the house and their careers to the highest standards set by society, which can result in greater stress, decreased job satisfaction, and occasionally decreased productivity at work.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between career duality and professional womens work performance in Bangladesh, with a particular emphasis on the confluence of institutional, sociocultural, and economic issues. The post-pandemic surge in remote work arrangements has also brought new dimensions to the discussion of work-life balance, presenting opportunities and difficulties for women trying to juggle career and caregiving responsibilities at the same time. Although working remotely allows for greater flexibility, it also frequently blurs the lines between work and home life, placing additional pressure on women to balance numerous jobs without breaks. These global trends pose particular issues in Bangladesh, where gender norms still heavily impact family interactions and workplace culture. The lack of maternity benefits, insufficient childcare facilities, and inflexible work schedules that many Bangladeshi women experience at work make it much harder for them to successfully manage work and home life. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to comprehend how these women manage career duality and how it affects their professional results. It will also look into the official and informal networks of support and coping strategies that enable women to balance raising their families and pursuing their careers.
Understanding the wider ramifications of professional duality is crucial for promoting gender parity as well as increasing workplace productivity and well-being as more women take on dual roles globally. Employers need to understand the value of family-friendly policies, flexible work schedules, and fair career prospects in order to help women balance work and domestic obligations, especially in developing nations like Bangladesh. This study will shed light on how these variables either help women succeed or obstruct their advancement, and it will make recommendations for institutional and policy changes that can help women balance their dual careers.
This study employs a qualitative research design to explore the nuanced challenges professional women in Bangladesh face in managing career duality. Given the subjective and complex nature of work-life balance, thematic analysis was chosen to capture the personal narratives of participants and identify recurring themes. Semi-structured interviews, supplemented by open-ended questionnaires, allow for in-depth exploration of how family support, societal expectations, and workplace policies shape womens professional experiences. This methodological approach aligns with prior research in social sciences, where qualitative insights provide a richer understanding of individual coping strategies and institutional barriers.
Womens Career Duality and Its Effect on Work Performance have Been Studied in Several Ways.
Research on work-life balance, particularly in developed nations like the U.S. and Europe, has shown that supporting policies like parental leave and flexible work schedules greatly improve womens productivity at work (Smith, 2018; Taylor, 2020). Numerous academic investigations have underscored the significance of familial support and institutional adaptability in augmenting occupational efficiency and psychological welfare. Boiarintseva et al. (2022) demonstrate that, even for childless dual-career couples, striking a balance at work necessitates independence and adaptability, supporting the notion that institutional policies need to be flexible enough to accommodate a range of individual circumstances. Studies conducted in developing nations such as India and Pakistan have brought attention to the extra load that cultural expectations place on working women, resulting in heightened stress levels and decreased job satisfaction (Ahmed, 2019; Khan, 2021; Akter S., 2020).
There isnt much research on Bangladeshi women particularly, but what is known about them indicates that familial obligations and sociocultural norms have a significant impact on how they pursue their careers. For example Yasmin, (2017) discovered that inflexible company regulations and a lack of family support frequently prevent women from achieving professional success. Many studies have been conducted on the idea of career duality, especially about womens involvement in the labor sector. According to studies conducted in the West (Crosby, 1991), women who play various tasks often have lower stress levels because they have more self-esteem and are more financially independent. Jenkins and Harvey, (2019) point out that despite having access to family-friendly policies like flexible scheduling or work-from-home options, employees still struggle to strike a balance between their personal and professional lives because of the intensity of their workloads and bosses expectations.
Hosain, (2024) highlights the twin hardships faced by Bangladeshi couples who have children, citing the scarcity of childcare services and the difficulty in preserving family time as major obstacles. Prior research on the topic of work-life balance in developing nations has highlighted the significance of workplace policies that support families in enhancing the productivity of employed women (Doble & Supriya, 2010). Yasmin, (2017) discovered that socio-cultural norms in Bangladesh put a lot of pressure on women to carry out their household responsibilities, which might impede their ability to advance professionally. However, studies also show that women who are adept at juggling numerous tasks report better mental and job satisfaction than those who do not (Barnett & Baruch, 1985; Kammann, 1983). Traditional gender norms continue to have a significant impact on Bangladeshs labor market, as women are expected to manage both their careers and homes. Zaman, (2013) pointed out that the countrys economy may benefit from increased family support and better social perceptions of working women. But even with womens rising involvement in the industry, there are still a lot of obstacles to overcome, especially when it comes to discrimination based on gender and the absence of flexible work schedules.
Aim of the Study
"What is the impact of career duality on the work performance of professional women in Bangladesh, and how do socio-cultural factors and support systems affect their ability to balance professional and household responsibilities?"
Specific Objectives
Research Design and Method
Using a social constructivist methodology, this research examines the lives of middle-class, highly educated working women by concentrating on the viewpoints of the participants. To capture their viewpoints and difficulties, semi-structured questionnaires were used in a descriptive approach. In accordance with Creswells, (2007) theory that qualitative research investigates the interpretations individuals make of their experiences, in-depth interviews were carried out in Dhaka in March and April 2016. A few important metrics are looked at in the study to determine how multiple occupations affect professional women:
Study population
Employees from the public, private, and self-employment sectors make up the population. According to Agyedu, Donkor and Obeng, (1999) precise demographic definitions are necessary for focused study.
Example and Method of Sampling
Simple random sample and convenience sampling are used in the study to choose 30 participants, aged 26 to 40, from middle-class Dhaka homes. To guarantee relevance, the respondents were selected according to their level of education, employment, and marital status. Sarantakos, (2005) highlights that new data must be used for analysis to be effective.
Data Sources
Open-ended questions in the surveys and interviews enabled respondents to offer in-depth explanations of their observations.
Method of Data Collection
The survey, entitled "The Story of Working Women," included of open-ended enquiries. Participants in the one-on-one interviews received confidentiality instructions. With consent, some interviews were taped, and the information was then transcribed for thematic analysis. The results were enhanced by secondary data from journals and research publications.
Data Analysis and Tools
Thematic analysis was employed for the transcription and analysis of all interviews, adhering to the protocols established by Braun and Clarke, (2006). In order to find important themes that represent both unique coping mechanisms and more general cultural effects, the data had to be coded. Codes were arranged and visual summaries of the results were produced using Excel. This research offers comprehensive, contextual insights into the lives of professional women in Bangladesh through the use of qualitative methodologies, facilitating a fuller comprehension of the junction between personal and professional duties. The studys goal is to examine how career duality affects job performance and to provide workable strategies for successfully balancing both responsibilities. The methodological approach assures alignment with this goal.
The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the duality of career and personal responsibilities experienced by women in Bangladesh. The results reveal that familial support, particularly from husbands and mothers, plays a pivotal role in advancing womens careers. Notably, 40% of the participants credited their husbands as the primary facilitators of their career development, while 30% highlighted their mothers support. These findings align with existing literature, such as Silbersteins, (1992) work, which demonstrates that husbands involvement in household duties positively impacts womens professional growth. However, as some respondents indicated, this support appreciated remains the exception rather than the norm, reflecting deep-rooted gender expectations.
Background of Respondents
Fig.1: Marital Status of Respondents.
From Fig. 1 it can be seen that out of the 30 respondents, 37 percent were married and 63 percent were married with children.
Fig. 2: Different Profession of Respondents.
Fig. 2 shows that out of the 30 respondents, 57 percent doing government jobs, and 33 percent were doing private jobs. From this, 10 percent were doing their own business.
Descriptive Analysis
A semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire was used for the interviews with the respondents. Below are analysis of the respondents responses:
Transportation and Safety
The examination of the interviews highlights several significant difficulties that Bangladeshi women have when juggling two careers. Significant concerns were transportation and safety, with 93% of respondents mentioning problems getting to and from work, particularly at night. Safety concerns were voiced by a lot of women, which makes it difficult for them to work late hours or make long commutes for work.
Fig. 3: Challenges at Workplace.
This study emphasises the difficult obstacles professional women in Bangladesh must negotiate as they negotiate career duality, juggling both professional and caring obligations. The results highlight how much family support-especially from husbands and mothers-helps women satisfy these expectations. Work-life balance is greatly hampered, meanwhile, by the lack of paid maternity leave, daycare facilities, and flexible office rules. Further aggravating these issues and restricting womens chances for professional development are societal expectations anchored in strict gender roles. Institutional changes are very necessary if we are to create a more inclusive workplace. Employers should implement family-friendly policies include on-site childcare facilities, hybrid work models, and parental leave policies in order to fit the multiple responsibilities women must handle.
The report underlines how cooperation between legislators and businesses is necessary to institutionalizes these changes and guarantee long-lasting transformation in several spheres. Red redefining gender norms and relieving women of pressure to satisfy conventional expectations and developing in their professions depend on cultural changes as well. Longitudinal studies should be used in next studies to investigate the long-term effects of career duality on life satisfaction, well-being, and professional development. Moreover, broadening the focus of study to include male viewpoints and industry-specific experiences would help to offer a more complete knowledge of how dual-career homes could flourish. Dealing with these issues not only helps to achieve gender parity but also improves organizational performance by establishing encouraging surroundings that enable women to flourish at home and at business.
The author is grateful to the faculty of Business Administration, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh and others who directly or indirectly contribute to conduct this study as well. Last but not the least, Author also acknowledge anonymous reviewers and the journal editor for their thoughtful suggestions and comments which helps to improve the manuscript.
The author declares that there are no conflicts of interest related to this research. All opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this article are solely from the author and al is presented with complete transparency and impartiality.
Academic Editor
Dr. Toansakul Tony Santiboon, Professor, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, Australia.
Lecturer, Finance and Economics, Baikal College, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Chowdhury SS. (2024). Career duality and work performance: insights from women in Bangladesh, Asian J. Soc. Sci. Leg. Stud., 6(5), 188-197. https://doi.org/10.34104/ajssls.024.01880197