The traditional 9-to-5 work life may have shaped our lives, but is it relevant in today’s culture?
The 9-to-5 work model has been a benchmark in the workforce – show up, clock in, get the work done, clock out and head home! This practice was convenient as professionals felt they could focus better on their personal lives after work, but things took a drastic turn with the pandemic. Employers and employees adapted to complete remote work, followed by the hybrid model – raising a question – is the 9-to-5 model becoming obsolete?
Where is the 9-to-5 Model losing its grip?
Though the 9-to-5 work model has shaped our lives in more ways than one, it may not be a right fit, especially among Gen-Z and today’s workplace culture. The following could be the reasons:
Technology + Flexibility = Productivity: Gone are the days when productivity is equated to being at the desk from 9-to-5. With cloud collaboration and advancements in project management tools, tasks are completed from anywhere, and companies are shifting to the outcome-based approach – where the deliverable matters more.
Quality > quantity: The hybrid model reduces the scope of micromanagement, offering employees the creativity freedom and accountability to complete their tasks. It is also found that employees – be it young parents or people with caregiving responsibilities – are happy to steer their schedules while striking the work-life balance.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite the advantages offered, some challenges persist. Healthcare and manufacturing sectors cannot adapt to the hybrid model, considering the nature of work. Additionally, labor laws were developed around the traditional work model, making it more difficult to flexible timings. In some cases, stringent leadership is a reason for not adapting to the switch in the model; some leaders equate productivity with physical presence, making flexibility a far-fetched reach for such companies.
No matter what the future holds, Indian companies are looking at attracting and retaining talent. The real question is not whether 9 to 5 is fading, rather it’s about how businesses evolve to create schedules that benefit the employers and employees.
