There was a time when Dolly Parton sang about the trials and tribulations of working “9 to 5”. Today, this model is becoming a thing of the past.
In the United States, the average working day now ends at 4.39pm, 36 minutes earlier than two years ago, according to a study by analysis firm ActivTrak – a development that, far from harming productivity, actually seems to encourage it.
According to data collected from over 200,000 employees in 777 US companies, overall productivity rose by 2% despite a reduction in work hours. How? Thanks to intense and focused sessions lasting an average of 24 minutes, where every minute really counts.
In terms of pace, Tuesday was the most productive day, while Friday came last.
But even as working hours are getting shorter during the week, work is increasingly happening on weekends. Many employees are choosing to shorten their days and catch up on tasks in their free time, a phenomenon particularly prevalent in large companies where the pressure remains high.
The trend also varies according to the season: in August and December, employees often extend their days in anticipation of vacations or to meet annual targets. This flexibility illustrates a shift towards a new approach to work, focused on efficiency rather than presenteeism.
Changing with the times
The rise of hybrid working and the gradual return to the office following the pandemic have shaken things up in the world of work. Some companies have seen an increase in energy and collaboration thanks to in-person working, while others are struggling to regain their momentum.
It’s no longer a question of choosing between working from home or in the office, but of adapting work organisation to the culture and needs of each company.
With shorter but more intense working days, the criteria for corporate performance are changing. The challenge for employers is to find the right balance between flexibility and efficiency, without sliding towards a model where work is spread out over the whole week, including weekends.
This change marks a turning point in the professional world, where flexibility has become the norm. Companies that know how to adapt will be those that attract and retain the best talent. The rigid 9-to-5 model is becoming a thing of the past: work is reinventing itself, offering more freedom, but also bringing new challenges.