Chronoworking

For many people working in the post-COVID era, the traditional practice of commuting to the office for a 9-to-5 (come on, we all know it’s 8–5!) job 5 days a week seems like a distant memory of a different time. Now that so many workers have been exposed to remote work and other flexible working arrangements, it’s no surprise that so few are willing to go back to the way things were.

Workers are increasingly demanding greater flexibility and shorter hours, and organizations are doing what they can to accommodate those requests.

As David Morel writes in an article for Forbes, the latest attempt to encourage greater work/life balance looks to synch one’s work schedule with one’s sleep schedule.

“Now there is a new trend that organizations need to be aware of: ‘chronoworking,’ which aims to fit work schedules around an individual’s circadian rhythm and optimum times of productivity, rather than the traditional 9 to 5 model,” explains Morel. “The term was first coined by British journalist Ellen Scott in her Working on Purpose newsletter. Scott believes that re-evaluating when we work is a natural evolution of the discussions around workplace wellbeing.”

The concept of “chronoworking” is gaining traction as more employees and employers recognize the benefits of aligning work schedules with natural body rhythms. By allowing individuals to work during their peak productivity times, the argument goes, businesses can enhance efficiency, reduce burnout, and foster a more engaged and satisfied workforce. This shift represents a significant move away from the one-size-fits-all approach to work hours, acknowledging that flexibility can lead to better overall performance and job satisfaction.

Of course, this novel approach to work scheduling has its downsides, too. It’s not always feasible to have employees working whatever hours work best for their body if they can’t collaborate effectively with team members or be available when customers need them.

The post-COVID work environment is evolving rapidly, with chronoworking emerging as a trendy solution to schedule work when it best fits employees’ natural circadian rhythm. Advocates for this trend argue that organizations can not only improve productivity but also enhance employee well-being and satisfaction.

Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.

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