Non-linear Workday: the New Normal

How we work and from where we work seems to have been changed forever by the last pandemic. According to Gartner, 48% of knowledge workers around the world will work either fully remotely (9%) or in a hybrid arrangement (39%) by the end of 2023. The numbers are much higher for the US, where fully remote and hybrid workers are expected to account for 71% of the workforce.

While flexible approaches to work certainly require adaptation from both companies and employees, the data shows that , if implemented thoughtfully, they can unlock higher levels of productivity.

Accenture's Future of Work Study reports a positive feedback from employees with 83% that definitely prefer a hybrid work model. The primary reason for such perception is the flexibility that hybrid working offers.

Eventually it helps solve the two critical issues that impact our productivity the most: the level of stress and the level of job control. A recent McKinsey study found that 40% of workers consider a flexible work schedule a top motivator for staying in a position, while the Future Forum found that more respondents want flexibility in when they work (94%) than where they work (80%).

The traditional workday structure was built on the assumption that employees are most productive during set hours. However, this paradigm is rapidly changing. In a non-linear workday, employees have the autonomy to set their own schedules, taking into account their unique circadian rhythms, personal lives and peak productivity hours. Such flexibility presumes a much higher level of job control for the employee, which strongly correlates with the increased trust, job satisfaction and overall productivity.

One of the major advantages of a non-linear workday is the ability to strike a healthier work-life balance. With the freedom to arrange work around personal commitments and individual preferences, employees can better manage their efficiency time to accommodate family, hobbies, and self-care, leading to much reduced stress and improved overall well-being.

Contrary to traditional beliefs, non-linear workdays more often than not lead to higher productivity. Time management becomes less about following rigid schedules and more about aligning work with the peak efficiency time. This approach optimises productivity and creativity, ultimately benefitting both the individual and the organisation.

The rise of the non-linear workday is closely linked with advancements in technology, particularly in collaboration and time management tools. Today, a plethora of time tracker Mac or PC apps and even physical desk timer cubes are available to help individuals and teams monitor their work hours. The underlying UX/UI is a decisive element for most of the users while chosing a solution. Besides, such tools shall not only track the time but also provide valuable insights into the user's productivity. AI and data analytics are the future of time tracking tools, anticipated to offer personalised recommendations for individuals to optimise their work patterns.

While the non-linear workday offers numerous benefits, it is not without its challenges. Effective communication and collaboration become essential in a work environment where team members do not share the same workspace and may have different schedules. Companies must foster a culture that prioritises results over the number of hours spent at the desk. Time tracking tools, therefore, shall not be the means of control for the management but absolutely voluntary and friendly tools that help employees use their time most efficiently and complete their work quicker and with less stress by properly arranging their work pattern.

The non-linear workday is gaining traction as the Future of Work, redefining traditional notions of productivity and time management. By embracing flexibility, promoting work-life balance, and leveraging technology to monitor and optimise the use of time, individuals and organisations can unlock a new era of efficiency and satisfaction in the modern workplace.