Retail & IT Powering Women's Contractual Workforce in India, finds Report

By: Ayushi Dutta, Correspondent

A report by TeamLease Services has concluded that retail, IT, and financial services industries are leading in employing women in contractual roles in India. The report highlights how contractual work benefits women from diverse backgrounds and empowers them to join the workforce after career breaks.

In the evolving markets of India's retail Information Technology (IT) sectors, a contractual revolution is unfolding, boosting the economic welfare. Women, long constrained by rigid work structures, are now stepping into contractual roles that offer flexibility, financial independence, and career growth.

From store managers and customer service executives to IT consultants and software testers, female professionals are making their mark in sectors that are reshaping the employment landscape. The rise of e-commerce and tech-driven businesses has increased the demand for skilled workers on a contractual basis, particularly for women seeking roles that allow them to balance professional and personal commitments.

Rise of Women in Contractual Roles

According to a report by TeamLease Services published by the Indo-Asian News Service, the retail, IT, and financial services are leading in employing women in contractual roles in India. The report says that 29.8 per cent in retail, 20.7 per cent in IT, and 18.9 per cent in financial services lead in employing women in contractual roles. Meanwhile, 10.8 per cent in manufacturing, five per cent in power and energy, and four per cent in telecom employ women on a contractual basis, which is relatively low.

The retail industry is attracting women professionals for roles such as soft skills, communication, and problem-solving, leading to increased hiring through temporary staffing and gig-work models. Whereas the IT industry is enabling women to take up short-term assignments, freelance work, and hybrid roles. Organizations hire women for coding, testing, digital marketing, AI-driven customer support, and cloud computing.

Influence of Education on Women’s Employment

The report further reveals that education significantly influences women's employment prospects, with 41.3 per cent holding a graduate degree, 28.5 per cent completing 12th grade, 18.8 per cent having 10th grade, 10.2 per cent postgraduates, and 1.2 per cent diploma holders.

Kartik Narayan, CEO, Staffing, TeamLease Services, noted, "Women's workforce participation in India shows a clear divide across education levels. Those with minimal or high education are more actively engaged, while mid-level graduates follow distinct employment patterns. However, contractual employment has emerged as a key enabler, particularly for women aged 18 to 37 years, providing critical access to diverse industries, skilling opportunities, and financial stability."

Education not only provides knowledge but also empowers women, enabling better job opportunities, breaking gender barriers, and contributing to innovation and leadership. It acts as a gateway to economic independence and career empowerment for women, fostering confidence, decision-making skills, and financial stability.

Calls for Targeted Skilling Programs & Career Transition

The rise of female participation in India's contractual workforce is an empowerment movement, benefiting women from diverse backgrounds and career breaks. Contractual roles offer upskilling, financial independence, and professional networking without traditional constraints. This shift is redefining gender roles in the professional space.

The report reveals that women's employment opportunities, particularly in contractual roles, are primarily concentrated in metropolitan and industrial hubs, with Maharashtra leading at 28.7 per cent, followed by Tamil Nadu at 14.2 per cent, Karnataka at 14.1 per cent, Telangana at 7.8 per cent, Gujarat at 7.2 per cent, and Uttar Pradesh at 6.6 per cent. The female workforce is predominantly young, with 62.2 per cent aged between 18 to 27 years and 29.4 per cent falling under 28 to 37 years.

The report calls for targeted skilling programs and career transition support to increase female workforce participation in India to 70 per cent. Supporting this statement, CEO Kartik Narayan pens, "As India aims to increase female workforce participation to 70 per cent, strengthening the contractual workforce ecosystem through targeted skilling programmes, career transition support, and industry initiatives will be essential."