Working nine-to-five isn't right for many employees, Rotherham firm's research claims

A Rotherham company says that nine-to-five working is out of time for modern workers.

Research by online printing company instantprint, based in Manvers, found that two thirds of those responding to its survey said their fixed working hours didn’t match the times they felt most energised.

A survey by the firm of 2,000 UK office workers found that 62 per cent of respondents felt that their fixed working hours do not consistently align with when they are at their best, despite 58 per cent working to set start and finish times.

The company says that its research suggests that younger employees are finding it particularly difficult to work around set hours.

Almost three-quarters - 74 per cent - of so-called Gen Z office workers - those born between 1997 and 2012 - said that their fixed hours do not consistently match their natural energy peaks, compared with just 42 per cent of Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 to 1964.

Millennials - born between 1981 and 1996 - are also struggling to find their rhythm, with 68 per cent reporting a mismatch, followed by 55 per cent of Gen X workers, born between 1965 to 1980.

The findings suggest a challenge for employers managing multigenerational teams, says instantprint, particularly as younger workers increasingly question conventional working patterns.

The survey also suggested that factors such as commuting, caring responsibilities, job demands and autonomy over daily schedules may all influence how well employees’ working hours suit.

The study suggests that Chronoworking, based on the idea that individuals have different natural periods of alertness, should be seriously considered by employers.

Vicki Russell, head of TX (HR) at instantprint, said: “Most workplaces have people who are ready to tackle their biggest challenge first thing in the morning and others who find their focus later in the day.

“The difficulty comes when everyone is expected to work in exactly the same way, regardless of when they feel most productive.

“Our research shows that nearly two-thirds of office workers feel some disconnect between their working hours and their energy levels.

“That does not necessarily mean businesses need to abandon the nine-to-five, but it does suggest there is an opportunity to be more thoughtful about how we structure the day.

“Something as simple as protecting a couple of hours for focused work, reviewing when meetings take place or giving employees more say over how they organise their tasks could make a meaningful difference.

“Ultimately, flexibility should not just be about where people work. It should also be about helping them do their best work when they are most equipped to do it.”