According to a new survey, flexible work schedules have been wildly popular among workers. They say that it makes them more productive and enables them to better juggle work and family obligations. Among the findings:
- 79% of professionals surveyed say that their job allows for windowed work, that is, the ability to break up their day into distinct chunks of business and personal time.
- Most of respondents say that windowed work leads to greater productivity — 78% of those with children and 66% of those without children.
- Nearly an equal number of men (75%) and women (71%) say they get more done by integrating personal and professional activities throughout the day.
- More employees ages 55 and older (39%) say they prefer a traditional work schedule. This compares to 32% of 41-54-year-olds and 22% of younger workers.
To make the most of flexible schedules, the survey authors suggest:
- Coordinating team coverage.
- Identifying your “power hours,” those times when you (or others) reach peak productivity. Carve out quiet time for high-priority projects.
- Setting wide windows. Cluster activities that require similar effort.
- Scheduling and sharing your calendar. Make sure colleagues know when they can reach you and when to schedule meetings or conference calls.
