Nearly nine in 10 professionals (87%) are interested in trying “chronoworking” — a model allowing employees to work according to their natural sleeping patterns, according to a new survey from Robert Walters.
The survey, which included over 1,700 employed Canadians, highlights a growing demand for more personalized flexible working arrangements.
The study found that half of the respondents believe their organization’s current flexible work policies do not meet their specific needs. Additionally, 30% feel their employer’s approach to flexible working is overly standardized, often characterized by policies like mandatory office days or ‘early finish Fridays.’
“Nearly four years on from lockdown and the onset of remote and hybrid working, and it is surprising to hear that companies and their employees have not found a ‘flow’ with flexible working,” said Martin Fox, director of Robert Walters.
“The workforce continues to crave innovative approaches to flexibility; however, it’s concerning that half of employees feel their current organizations flexible policies are missing the mark. This indicates a clear need for companies to rethink their strategies. Without tailored solutions, they risk alienating valuable talent and falling behind in today’s dynamic workplace landscape.”
The survey also highlights that 36% of employees perceive their organization as lacking a clear strategy for flexible working, with many policies emerging organically from pandemic-induced practices.
Benefits of chronoworking
According to the survey, 48% of professionals believe that working according to their natural sleeping pattern would improve their mental health, contributing to a better overall work-life balance. Additionally, 33% feel they would be more focused and productive.
“Chronoworking may feel like a somewhat radical reform to hours, but at a closer glance we may find that professionals chosen hours would not be that far out from the traditional 9-5. Simply putting more power into the hands of professionals could be enough to help boost morale, sleep, and productivity.”
Martin Fox, director of Robert Walters
The survey indicates a strong preference among professionals for early start and early finish times (49%) if their company adopted a chronoworking model, with another 33% favoring alternating start and finish times. Only 9% would choose to start and finish late or stick to the traditional 9-5 schedule.
Comparisons with other flex work models
While chronoworking garners significant interest, it is not the top flexible working model that professionals want to pilot. Full remote work schedules (41%) emerged as the most preferred option, followed by the ability to work from anywhere in the world (28%) and a four-day work week (20%). Only 11% expressed a preference for chronoworking above other flexible work models.
The insights from Robert Walters suggest that employers need to consider a variety of flexible working strategies to meet the diverse needs of their workforce and remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent.
“As with any new approach, ‘chronoworking’ may not suit every person or organization. However, its popularity highlights the need to explore new strategies to enhance retention and productivity. Employers must learn to adapt to remain competitive and attract the best talent,” said Fox.