Traditional 9 to 5 office jobs aren’t yet a thing of the past, but they are declining. Yes, it’s true that in many offices, 8 hours a day is still a given. And in high-pressure industries like tech and finance, 50 or even 60 hours is the norm. But many Americans now work remotely, either full-time or part-time. Plus, many Americans now work less than 40 hours a week but are still considered full-time. A recent Gallup poll shows that 45% of full-time American employees work from home at least part of the time. 

How The 40 Hour Workweek Got Started

The Industrial Revolution brought massive economic growth and long, grueling days for factory workers. And by a long day, we mean workers put in 16 hours a day, six days a week. The concept of the 8-hour workday was first introduced in the late 1800s as a more reasonable alternative. But the 40-hour workweek didn’t become popular until Henry Ford adopted it in 1926. Since then, it’s been the standard we judge our success by, whether it’s still practical or not. 

COVID-19 & Remote Work

Pre-pandemic, remote work was already on the upswing. The technology of the last few decades has made remote work a reality for almost any type of white-collar job. And technology has made us more efficient and more productive in less time. 

Despite the advances in technology, some employers still held onto the old-school approach. They argued that allowing their employees to work from home would be paying them to nap and clean the house. Then, the abrupt arrival of COVID-19 forced these holdouts to allow their employees to work from home. Those who once protested that their employees couldn’t possibly work from home now had to face the fact that their employees certainly could and relatively easily, too. 

The New Normal

As cases fell and restrictions eased, many employers sought to bring their workers back to the office. But having had a taste of remote work, their employees were understandably reluctant. So, now as we begin 2022, COVID-19 is our new normal. It’s not going anywhere anytime soon, and neither is remote work. 

The Benefits of Remote Work

We’re Humans, Not Robots

The other reason remote work is on the rise is that it works. We’re all unique individuals with our own rhythm. Trying to force each of us into the mold of the traditional 9 to 5 job no longer makes sense. We all have our most productive times of the day. For some of us, it’s morning. For others, it might be late at night. These spurts of productivity are our “high motivation” periods. These are the times when we get the most done. 

Some remote jobs have set hours, but most allow their workers some leeway. Permission to set their own schedule lets employees take advantage of their high motivation times to get most of their work done. Mercer, an HR consulting firm, surveyed 800 employers after they made the switch to remote work in 2020. 94% of the employers reported that productivity was the same or even higher with their employees working from home. 

Happier Workers Are More Productive

Researchers at the University of Oxford Business School found that happy workers are more productive. They found that the more rigid a job is, the less satisfaction you find in your work. Rigid jobs are the kinds of jobs where you find yourself working just to work‒not because there is anything left that needs to be done at 3 pm on a Friday afternoon, but because it’s expected. 

Evidence suggests that the more hours you work, the more your productivity goes down. So, being chained to your desk 8 hours a day just for the sake of tradition really is insane. Over time, rigidity in the workplace wears you down. The more time spent in that environment, the less happy you are overall. With these types of jobs, you develop a major case of the “Sunday Scaries,” every Sunday like clockwork. You start living for the weekends, so when you are at your job, you’re hardly giving it your best. 

Better Work/Life Balance 

But remote or flex jobs allow you to take care of yourself and protect your work/life balance. Employees who work flexible schedules are happier at work and less prone to burnout than those who work a set schedule. Happier employees are less likely to make mistakes and more likely to stay in their position long-term. A content employee delivers a higher quality of work and more consistent job performance. With all of these reasons, it’s no wonder more and more employers are allowing their staff to work from home. 

Flexible Jobs Boost Focus

Flexible jobs aren’t just more rewarding; they also boost your focus. The traditional 9 to 5 job is a one-size-fits-all job. Remote or remote-hybrid jobs allow you more freedom. For example, if you know you always hit a midday slump, you can work 3 hours in the morning, take a 2-hour break, and then put three more hours in before you call it a day. 

These flexible types of jobs are better for employees and employers. Employees benefit from the freedom to set their own hours while employers reap the benefits of happier, more content workers. 

Freelancers & Remote Workers 

The freedom and flexibility of remote work are win/win—both the employee and employer benefit. The move towards remote work and shorter work weeks isn’t about being less productive. It’s about being more productive in less time! Business owners have so much to gain by hiring freelance workers. Freelancers have the autonomy that traditional employees don’t have, making them happier, better focused, and more effective workers.  

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