The growing economic downturn will hurt women in the workplace more than men, experts warn.

Women in part-time work and in flexible working arrangements will be among the first to feel the pinch of the economic slump.

Casual work and retail industry jobs - both dominated by women - are expected to decline as consumers rein in spending and employers tighten their belts.

“Organisations will cut their flexibility programs, they’ll cut their part-time work and obviously that’s predominantly females,’’ said Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency director Anna McPhee.