Introducing chronoworking: A new approach to flexible work hours

Flexible work hours have been a hot topic in recent years, with many employees embracing the ability to craft schedules that better fit their lives. But as the workforce continues to evolve, a new trend is emerging that promises to revolutionise the way we approach work: chronoworking. This concept could transform how organisations operate and how employees structure their days, aligning working hours with natural body clocks and individual productivity patterns. 

But what exactly is chronoworking, and how can it benefit both your organisation and your employees? Let’s dive into the concept that's reshaping the global workforce. 

What is chronoworking?

Chronoworking allows you to work according to your natural body clock. If you're an early riser, you can start your day bright and early, while night owls can clock in later and work through the evening. This flexible model gives you the freedom to choose work hours that align with your natural sleep patterns and rhythms of energy highs and lows. 

The idea is to move away from rigid, traditional working hours, giving employees the freedom to work when they’re most productive. It has become clear that the traditional 9-5 workday may not be the most productive for everyone, and chronoworking challenges this by empowering employees to work during their peak performance times.

The term was coined by UK journalist Ellen C. Scott, and it's been gaining traction—especially as more people discover how it boosts productivity and enhances work-life balance. In the UK, Google searches for "chronoworking" have surged by 600% year on year, and organisations are beginning to adopt this approach. 

Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand, supports the idea, noting that it has the potential to reshape the global workforce and foster a more borderless economy. "By ensuring that there is always someone available to cater to the needs of clients or customers, regardless of their geographical location, we can create a more efficient and effective work environment."

The benefits of chronoworking for employers and employees

The idea behind chronoworking isn’t just about personal comfort - it's about improving outcomes for both businesses and individuals. Research shows that aligning work hours with your natural body clock can improve focus, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

According to a recent Robert Walters study, 42% of Australian professionals believe that chronoworking could positively impact their mental health, while 39% feel it would boost their productivity. For many employees, current flexible work policies do not fully address their individual needs. Chronoworking offers a personalised solution, balancing professional demands and personal well-being. 

Additional benefits of chronoworking include:

• Improved autonomy: Chronoworking empowers your employees to manage their own time, fostering trust and reducing the need for micromanagement.

• Enhanced productivity: People have different peak performance times. Chronoworking allows your people to work when they are most productive, whether that’s morning, afternoon, or evening.

• Better work-life balance: By aligning work hours with personal life demands, employees manage stress, prevent burnout, and tend to personal matters with greater ease.

• Self-management for teams: Chronoworking encourages self-managed teams, holding them accountable for outcomes rather than just presence during traditional work hours.

• Borderless workforce: With teams no longer tied to fixed working hours, you can expand your talent pool globally, ensuring client needs are met across various time zones.

Overcoming challenges in chronoworking

While the potential for chronoworking is significant, it's important to consider the challenges. In client-facing roles, for example, customer expectations may not always align with employees' preferred work hours. A flexible but structured framework, with clear guidelines and core hours, can help mitigate these issues.

Leadership plays a pivotal role here. You must foster a culture of autonomy and trust, empowering employees to take charge of their schedules while still meeting business objectives and maintaining team cohesion. It’s also essential to have self-starters on your team—people who can work independently without micromanagement.

Implementing chronoworking in your organisation

Adopting chronoworking requires more than just shifting schedules. To implement it successfully, you need clear communication, trust within your team, and defined performance indicators. For example, setting some ‘core hours’ may be necessary for collaboration, ensuring that teams have enough overlap for meetings and client-facing responsibilities. 

Adopting chronoworking involves careful planning and strategic execution. You should start with small, gradual changes, whilst monitoring performance and productivity to determine the model’s effectiveness. Here are some key steps to ensure a successful rollout:

• Assess feasibility: Identify which roles are best suited for flexible hours and ensure client-facing duties can be managed within the new structure.

• Set clear expectations: Establish core hours for collaboration, and communicate performance goals, deadlines, and response times to ensure alignment.

• Define performance metrics: Shift focus from time-based to output-based performance indicators, ensuring everyone knows how success is measured.

• Equip teams with tools: Use project management and communication tools to enable collaboration across different schedules.

• Monitor and adjust: Continuously track performance and feedback, adjusting improve the system over time.

By following these steps, you can introduce chronoworking while maintaining productivity and demonstrating your commitment to employee well-being.

Flexibility isn't one-size-fits-all

As companies continue to adapt to the changing needs of the workforce, flexible working policies are evolving. Employees are looking for more tailored options that suit their individual preferences. A four-day workweek or fully remote options might be the right fit for some, while chronoworking offers a solution for others. As Shay Peters explains, you should focus on incorporating elements of different models to match business needs and employee preferences.

“Hybrid working should not be seen as a one-size-fits-all solution for flexible working. Instead, employers should consider incorporating elements of different flexible working models that align with their business.” 

Ultimately, it’s about understanding that flexibility comes in many forms. Chronoworking is an exciting development, but it’s crucial to offer a variety of options tailored to different workstyles.

The future of chronoworking

Chronoworking isn’t just a fleeting trend, it’s a glimpse into the future of work. The potential for increased productivity, enhanced work-life balance, and a truly global workforce makes it a model worth exploring.

Chronoworking may be an exciting new addition to the modern workplaces’ employee value proposition. Check out our 2024 candidate priorities e-guide to discover more strategies to add to your EVP toolkit.