It’s official: work isn’t working for women. As a recent study by the Equality and Human Rights Commission shows, the number of women staying in work is on the decrease. It’s not that women are being thwarted in their attempts to scale the corporate ladder, more that they just don’t want to. And who can blame them? With its family-toxic hours and devotion to the five-day week, the workplace has barely progressed since the industrial revolution. It’s no surprise that the Tories might court women voters with a policy of paying mothers £6,000 a year to stay at home and look after babies and toddlers. It’s a start, but what is needed isn’t so much a makeover as full reconstructive surgery.

So, what’s the answer? Style asked a panel to describe their dream “top job”: the hours, the creativity, the days, the flexibility. Here are some of the great ideas they came up with.

GEMMA BLACKBURN 31 PRESS OFFICER, DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

What I want from a job is unlimited adventure, but also security. Weirdly, that’s what I’ve got at the moment, because, basically, I’m a civil servant — but in a warzone. By adventure, I don’t just mean jumping into helicopters, although that’s exciting, but also doing something new, learning about new cultures and amassing life experiences. The Foreign Office is a great place for women to work: if I’m in the UK I can work from home or on flexitime. The civil service is forward-thinking in that respect. If you work abroad, people are hired to look after your children. In the foyer of the Foreign Office in London, you see all these nannies pushing buggies over to St James’s Park. It’s very sweet.

GAEL LINDENFIELD 59 THERAPIST AND AUTHOR, LONDON

I’ve always had a bit of a rebellious streak. People like me don’t fit into big organisations such as the NHS, which can’t afford to take risks. I like variety, so a portfolio career suits me. I’ve been able to mix writing, training and psychotherapy; and working for myself meant I could fit my work around the kids. Now I continue that flexible way of working, because I want to split my time between here and Spain. It’s not a setup that brings mega-money, but that’s a sacrifice you make.

JUDITH CLEGG 30S FOUNDER AND CEO OF THE GLASSHOUSE, A NETWORKING AND MEMBERSHIP GROUP FOR ENTREPRENEURS, LONDON

I want to be able to travel and work from different locations. It’s all about flexibility. When I was in a high-profile job in the City, I felt that I would never be able to have a family. Now I work seven days a week, but according to my rules. I think that can be better for the children, as long as you have the right support. That said, it’s certainly not the easy option. Entrepreneurship is in my blood; that’s why I did it. I want a chance to prove myself and make my vision a reality.

SUE REEVE 41 FOUNDER OF CONSIDER IT DONE LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT, LONDON

My fantasy job would see me switching between worlds — perhaps running a successful online business from a perfectly renovated cottage in the country. It would be stimulating and fast-paced, but as soon as I turned away from the screen, I could sink back into a large leather chair and look out over magnificent views of hills disappearing into the sea. I could leave my desk and stroll into the country garden with my coffee, contemplating how I was going to spend the afternoon, perhaps out on my horse or gardening. But then I could spin back to my desk with a brilliant idea that would boost my business and put me back in touch with the City.

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