How flexible workspaces are supporting back-to-work mothers

Stephanie Ping – Co-Founder and CEO of WORQ

A growing segment of Malaysia’s workforce is quietly returning to professional life after stepping away for caregiving responsibilities. Recent initiatives such as the Securities Commission Malaysia’s investED for Returning Women programme reflect growing recognition that more structured support is needed to help women rebuild confidence, refresh their skills and transition back into long-term careers sustainably.

The biggest challenge here is access. Access to the right environment, the right flexibility and the right support system to rebuild confidence and re-enter the workforce. Interestingly, Malaysia’s female labour force participation rate currently stands at around 56 per cent, significantly lower than male participation at over 80 per cent. At the same time, over 90 per cent of women who leave the workforce due to caregiving responsibilities express a desire to return.

This presents a clear issue, which is that many women are willing to work, but workplace structures have not evolved quickly enough to support caregiving realities and long-term career sustainability.

What we have currently in the global market are structured programmes such as returnships, which are gaining traction as one of the ways to help mothers refresh their skills and transition back into professional roles.

In Malaysia, this shift is happening more organically. Thanks mostly to the rise of hybrid work and the growing availability of flexible workspace solutions. The conversation we should be having right now is how to create the right conditions for working mothers to thrive in?

The rise of the “third workspace” for working mothers

While working from home offers flexibility, it also comes with its own set of challenges, such as distractions, blurred boundaries and limited separation between professional and personal spaces.

The concept of a “third workspace” often arises in the discourse, which makes this increasingly relevant. What coworking spaces offer here is an alternative option for employers to rent an office and provide a professional environment to their employees without the rigidity of traditional offices.

As coworking spaces continue to evolve, workspace design is also becoming more intentional in supporting the needs of working mothers through more thoughtful layouts, dedicated amenities and flexible environments. With dedicated mother-friendly facilities, these spaces offer the privacy and comfort many traditional workplaces still lack.

Working closer to home: Why accessibility and proximity matter

One of the biggest barriers for mothers returning to work is the daily commute. Time spent travelling often translates directly into time away from family, making full-time office work less viable.

We address this through our network of 12 transit-oriented development (TOD) locations across the Klang Valley. These spaces are intentionally positioned within or near major transit lines and residential catchments. Mothers can just easily go to work closer to where they live and at the same time remain connected to key business districts.

This approach supports a more practical version of flexibility, where commuting time is reduced, and work becomes more accessible as part of daily life. It also aligns with broader hybrid work trends, where employees can just work within a distributed network of spaces.

Rebuilding confidence through community

Returning to work is often viewed as a logistical shift, when in reality it is also a psychological transition for many of us. For mothers specifically, they face challenges around confidence, identity and re-engagement within professional networks due to leaving the workforce for a period of time.

Coworking environments play a critical role by providing access to a built-in community. It is important that these workspaces include a diverse mix of users, including entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers and corporate teams to enable organic networking, collaboration and support.

This sense of community can be particularly valuable for those re-entering the workforce, offering both professional exposure and social connection in a supportive environment.

Conclusion

For mothers returning to work, flexibility, accessibility and the right environment are critical enablers that can make the difference between re-entry and disengagement.

As Malaysia continues to evolve its approach to work, we have an opportunity to build a more supportive ecosystem that recognises the diverse needs of the workforce and provides practical solutions to meet them, mothers are a small percentage of them.

Supporting back-to-work mothers is part of a broader shift toward a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable workforce. We believe the future of work is flexible, human-centric, accessible and community-driven.

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