“The 9-to-5 workday doesn’t work anymore”, “The 9-to-5 is dead”.
You’ve heard it before, and for many, it’s true.
Public transport is getting busier, roads are congested, and the commute feels longer than ever. The shift back to the traditional 9-to-5 is clear. Businesses have been increasing the need for days in the office, and searches for office-based jobs have increased by 40%. But for many, this change back is unmanageable.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, work life was redefined. Remote work was the norm, enabling lunchtime walks, post-work gym sessions, and more time with loved ones. Now, as businesses push for more in-office visibility, there’s clear tension. The right to request flexible working on day one, and Autonomy’s successful 4-day work week trials across the UK – a six-month long experiment where 56 companies chose to fully adopt the reduced working model, has stirred the conversation of the future of work.
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Average worked hours has dropped from 33.1 to 31.8.
ONS
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4 in 5 UK businesses believe flexible working is critical to success.
startups.co.uk
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One third of businesses expect the four-day week to become a reality in the next 10 years.
CIPD
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40% of the global workforce will be flexible, temporary or freelance by the end of 2025.
*Gartner
Why is flexible working being demanded more
A healthier workforce leads to a more productive one. For every £1 spent on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their employees, businesses get around £4.70 back in productivity. The pandemic revealed that burnout decreases when employees maintain a better work-life balance. While flexible work isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, many businesses can adapt to meet their employees’ needs, they just don’t know how.
What’s driving it?
Undeniably the global pandemic in 2019 forced change and business to rethink traditional work setups, proving that productivity doesn’t hinge on being present in the office. New technology, social media, and platforms such as Fiverr also empowered people to explore other income streams, they didn’t know where available to them.
New generations entering the workforce has also played a role. Millennials and Gen Z prioritise work-life balance, autonomy, and meaningful work over stability alone, compared to previous generations. Our Workplace Benefits Reports showed just how big the divide is. And for many, entering the workplace who grew up through the pandemic has led them to a more relaxed approach to their career and work life balance.
For certain demographics, flexibility isn’t a preference but a lifeline. Working parents are being hit the hardest with the traditional 9-to-5. Childcare costs are increasing and being present for pickups and milestones are invaluable. The 9-to-5 is also impacting the inclusivity of workplaces, with different factors being affected from neurodiversity to mobility.
Types of Non-Traditional Careers
- Freelancing & Gig Work: From graphic design and content writing to admin and delivery services. You can find a freelance role in a variety of spaces.
- Remote & Hybrid Roles: There are more and more jobs that can be done remotely or with flexible in-office requirements.
- Entrepreneurship and Side Hustles: Alongside their 9-to-5, people have launched start-ups, e-commerce businesses and consulting services.
- Flexible working: Beyond working from home, flexible working includes adaptable schedules that suit personal needs.
The benefits of non-traditional careers
- Flexibility and Autonomy: Control over hours and the ability to work from anywhere.
- Skill and Passion Alignment: Opportunities to work on what truly excites and suits individual talents.
- Increased Work-Life Balance: With flexible schedules, people often report greater satisfaction and balance in personal lives.
- A Dynamic Workforce: Diverse career paths contribute to a more inclusive, innovative workplace.
So why are businesses pushing back?
Let’s be fair—there are benefits to in-office work. Great ideas can be created over a casual coffee chat, it’s much easier to pop to someone’s desk to ask a question, and the levels of shadow and mentoring that can happen in the office is momentous.
Although managing a blend of full-time, flexible, and freelance staff does bring challenges. It also hones managerial skills and enriches the workforce with more diverse and inclusive professionals.
Businesses are adapting to the demand for flexibility, with the rise of hybrid work environments, and the increasing normalisation of non-traditional roles. For businesses that aren’t, you could risk losing out on top talent. For employees, embracing flexibility could mean a career that not only pays the bills but enhances your life.