A recent survey delves into whether companies should adopt “chronoworking,” allowing employees to set their work hours according to their natural sleep patterns.
The survey, conducted by Robert Walters Canada, reveals that 87% of professionals advocate for the trial of chronoworking.
Almost half (48%) of respondents believe their mental health would improve if they aligned their work hours with their natural sleep cycles, leading to better work-life balance and increased productivity.
Preferred work hour models
When asked about preferred work hour models under chronoworking, 49% of Canadians opt for an early start and finish, while 33% prefer alternating between different start and finish times.
Only a small fraction (9%) favour starting and finishing late or adhering strictly to the traditional 9-5 schedule.
What are the benefits of chronoworking?
Kim Napeñas, from Interval Group, highlights increased flexibility, motivation, and productivity as key benefits of chronoworking. Employees can tailor their workdays to match their natural rhythms, improving both job performance and work-life balance.
Vit Koval, HR expert and co-founder at Globy, emphasises that chronoworking minimises unproductive hours spent trying to concentrate during off-peak times, ultimately enhancing work quality and efficiency. Additionally, it enables employees to better balance work with personal commitments, such as family responsibilities.
Koval asserts that chronoworking doesn’t just benefit employees; it also boosts morale and diversity within organisations. By accommodating diverse working preferences, companies can attract a wider range of talent and foster a more inclusive workplace culture.
Napeñas predicts that chronoworking will further blur the boundaries of the global workforce, facilitating collaboration among employees across different time zones and enhancing access to a broader talent pool.
The future of work
Both experts suggest that the future of work will increasingly embrace flexible arrangements like chronoworking, fuelled by advances in technology that enable remote and asynchronous collaboration. As businesses expand globally, the demand for such flexibility is expected to rise, reshaping traditional notions of work and employment.
