Imagine a world where your working hours match your body's natural energy peaks and valleys, rather than being tied to a strict schedule. This isn’t a far-off fantasy — it's called ’chronoworking’, a growing trend that syncs the hours spent at work with your internal clock.
The COVID-19 pandemic has propelled flexible work arrangements into the spotlight, and the concept of chronoworking builds on this momentum. Coined by journalist Ellen Scott, it is all about syncing one’s work hours with the period when you feel most alert and focused. But is it just a passing trend, or an actual technique to enhance productivity and employee happiness?
Scott believes that in 2024, we'll start to rethink the strictness of the regular 9-to-5 schedule and think about working in sync with our internal clocks. Early birds usually kick off the day with a strong sense of purpose, but their energy levels dip as the hours progress. Meanwhile, night owls tend to shine in the evening, staying sharp and efficient.
A study by Adobe showed that different generations have different preferences in terms of when they work best. For example, twice as many Gen Z workers favour late-night shifts compared to Gen X. Only a small percentage of baby boomers like working the ’graveyard shift’, with most of them preferring to start early.
For night owls, dragging yourself out of bed for a 9 am shift can be tough. And if you're an early bird, staying focused late into the evening is a challenge. But chronoworking acknowledges that not everyone thrives on the traditional workday, offering a win-win situation that prioritises employee well-being and boosts productivity. This approach could even help companies retain their top talent.
Chronoworking In India
Why is there so much buzz about chronoworking in India? India has a diverse workforce, with many young professionals here believing that flexible work arrangements could make a huge difference to their well-being and productivity. This matches the global trend where companies are realising that happy and healthy employees perform better.
The way we work is changing, and India is leading the charge. Instead of sticking to a one-size-fits-all schedule, it's about figuring out when you're most productive and planning your work around that. That in a nutshell, is what chronoworking is all about.
India's vibrant and varied workforce offers a special chance for chronoworking to thrive. A study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), a prominent Indian business group, showed that many young Indian workers (aged 22-35) think that having flexible work setups would greatly boost their happiness and productivity. This matches the worldwide trend of companies shining a spotlight on employee well-being, as they realise that content and healthy workers tend to be more involved and efficient.
