The majority (87%) of professionals in a Robert Walters Canada survey believe their employers should trial “chronoworking.”
Chronoworking is a flexible work arrangement that allows employees to align their working hours with their natural circadian rhythms (the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle).
Most notably, nearly half (48%) of the 1,700 Canadian professionals surveyed felt that their mental health would benefit from such flexibility, according to a report published by Human Resources Director (HRD). Moreover, 33% believed it would improve their focus and productivity.
Advocates state chronoworking promises added benefits of decreasing unproductive work time that was previously spent trying to concentrate at work— citing improvements to work-life balance by allowing employees to fit their work hours around their personal lives.
Almost half, or 49%, of the survey’s respondents said they would opt for an early start/early finish as the preferred work schedule if chronoworking was adopted at their company. This was followed by 33% saying they would adopt an alternating start and finish time to the workday.
The benefits of chronoworking extend beyond employees. According to HRD, companies that have already adopted the flexible policy say this arrangement could improve an organization’s morale and attract a more diverse talent pool.
Businesses are becoming increasingly distributed, and the demand for flexible working arrangements remains high. Experts believe this makes the concept of chronoworking seem more feasible in today’s global workforce.
