As the society has progressed, many a change has happened in our culture and norms. One of which is our work culture. A nine-to-five job has always been the standard for a lot of years in the past. However, with the surge of new philosophies, technology, and even global issues (like the pandemic), a notable size of the workforce has shifted to a more flexible one.
Both modes of work schedule have their own strengths and weaknesses. First, looking into the more traditional fixed work schedule, we already know that it works. A lot of jobs are interconnected and having a fixed work schedule will make sure everyone will be on track at the same time. Also, from a business point of view, managing employees will be way easier and will require less time overall. However, this is also sometimes detrimental to employees as their entire day will mostly be committed to working.
A flexible work schedule, otherwise, will benefit a lot of employees in terms of balancing work and life. People can adjust their schedules according to what they need. This means employees will be less likely to experience work fatigue and can be more motivated due to the freedom that they are experiencing. Studies have also shown how mental health is directly correlated to productivity. Hence, if giving flexibility boosts mental health, it can also, in theory, boost productivity.
However, we cannot deny that certain issues also arise from this. First, a lot of jobs can never be offered a flexible working schedule as the society has been designed to function mostly at specific time frames. Second, this flexibility can be abused and be an excuse for tardiness and procrastination. Lastly, flexible working hours can disrupt the normal flow and expected interaction in the office as people will come and go any time they want.
In conclusion, both have their advantages and disadvantages, it is very much up to the individuals to decide which one works best for them. Looking into the pros and cons of it will give each a clearer picture on what suits their situation best.