Weak Working in the Traditional Work Week

The wider working world has taken a big step away from conventional 9-5 office work. With remote/hybrid working options on the rise, individuals have been able to indulge their appetites for greater work/life balance. However, recent studies are showing that the flexibility that comes with working outside of a traditional office setting may not be enough for today’s employees. Gaining traction is the argument that individuals having greater control over when they work (not just where) encourages greater productivity.

Combating burnout with 3-day weekends?

Decreasing work hours to increase productivity.?

The pandemic shook up much of the “givens” about the working world. Companies were forced to experiment with out-of-the-office work situations, but as a result, have also been voluntarily exploring shorter work schedules. At the end of last year, Ernst & Young surveyed companies on various aspects of their workplace operations and found that 40% of these organizations had already implemented a 4-day workweek or were in the process. These attempts to work fewer hours in the week to combat burnout and offer employees more recovery time on the “weekends” have seen mixed results, but it is clear that the transition is gaining popularity.

Staving off psychosocial hazards with control over schedules?

Employees are chasing the flexibility to fix external issues.?

Challenges outside of work are following people into their “working” hours. Anxiety at work is often a carry-over from outside stressors, and since the pandemic, “worry” has been an increasingly prevalent factor. These distractions are leading individuals to favor positions that offer them the flexibility to control when they work, so that they can have the freedom to organize their time into hours spent addressing these psychosocial hazards and hours working efficiently.

New generation, new priorities?

Younger workers entering the workforce means changes.?

Gen-Z is predicted to make up 27% of the global workforce in a couple years. Studies are finding that this generation has different priorities for their preferred work environment than the last, placing emphasis on flexibility of work location and schedule. Companies that are hard-pressed to fill positions could make great strides in attracting talent by offering the perk of a more balanced culture.

We’d love to hear your opinion. Do you see or desire a transition from traditional work weeks at your organization? What are some of the cons you have experienced from such a change? What are the pros? Let us know in the comments below.

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