By Iman Ben Chaibah
Where did the notion of fixed working hours start, was it always in this form or did it evolve over time? What do people really feel about it? Is it time to take it to the next evolving stage? Are there alternatives? All this was sparked by a facebook status outburst that said: “I am telling you, the notion of fixed office hours was derived from slavery!”
Fixed working hours
To be employed with fixed working hours implies working a fixed number of hours at an imposed time, on fixed number of days of the week. The current international legalized average working hours are 35-45 hours weekly. The start time and end time differs from an organization to another.
Origins and development
In the pre-industrial time, the period prior to the 18th century, workers worked from dawn to dusk on hunting and farming. This is equivalent to 16 hours summer daytime, and 8 hours winter daytime. However, this included intermittent breaks along with seasonal & occasional holidays.
Then came the industrial revolution between the 18th and 19th centuries. In this phase, working conditions revolved around factories and machines. Working hours became a continuous 12-16 hours per day with scheduled breaks; an average of 80 hours per week.
This started to change towards the end of 19th century, World War I, and the start of information and technology age. Jobs have evolved to different kind of responsibilities. Working hours were reduced almost to the half thanks to the formed unions and constant renewal of legislations. So now, the legalized working hours are between 35 to 45 weekly hours, with 2 to 5 weeks of annual holiday. This allowed the workers to have leisure time and still rest for the day, which enabled them to be more productive at their work.
People’s impressions and feedback
I did a simple survey on facebook and twitter to ask respondents if they were with or against fixed working hours and why. The respondents included self-employed, employed with fixed hours, and employed with flexible hours. 16 out of the 20 respondents were against fixed working hours, the reasons varied as follows.
Fixed working hours do not define the productivity of an employee. People are different, and to have the same working conditions for all employees does not suit their differences. One of the differences may be in productivity. From one side, people differ in the time they require to finish certain tasks, so to have fixed duration for all leaves faster workers idle for a while. From the other side, people differ in their biological productive hours, some may be morning producers while some may be night producers, and some have different hours across the day. Having fixed hours for all types of people does not leverage on their productive hours.
Flexible hours motivate the employees, reduce the pressure in certain times, improve morale, and increase productivity.
Nevertheless, it was agreed among most of the respondents that performance should be monitored closely, so that fixed working hours are reverted if they did not prove successful. Though flexible working hours suits freelancers and project/task based jobs, fixed working hours were sought to be preferable for customer facing and support role jobs.
Alternatives
Below is couple of suggested alternatives for the fixed working hours approach.
Flexible hours.
In this approach, an employee gets to choose the hour in which he prefers to start his 8 working hours, on the condition that he completes those hours in any given working day. Some companies choose to define a starting working hour, with flexibility to the employees to start before or after that time with up to 2 hours.
Virtual offices
Virtual offices are combination of remote working and physical offices. In this approach, employees are enabled to work remotely, access all required documents, and use audio and video conferencing. Virtual offices still ensures physical offices, but not for all the organization, rather for receptionists, limited spaces for meetings and temporary offices and workspaces. This approach saves a large amount of operational costs to the organization, and also enables the organization to recruit oversees talents. However, with such an approach, the management style has to change in terms of performance measurement and monitoring to ensure efficient productivity.
These are only some of the possible alternatives. One approach alone may not be applicable for all industries and jobs. Hence, combined approaches may be the ideal way to ensure customers’ and clients’ convenience, and the productivity of the employees.
Sign up to Sail Newsletter
Never miss another article!
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
Kudos on the E-Mag.
To stick to topic, I would like to say that to look at “fixed working hours” in its context is entirely different than in general. The context here being the UAE. I am not saying we are better or worse than other countries who employ these working methods, but we do have to agree that the different lifestyles should be taken into consideration. At the moment, western countries have developed much more flexible working hours for their employees, and that is perhaps due to their long experience with the system. The UAE on the other hand is more stringent, despite the different needs of the people, and that is also perhaps due to the young age with which fixed working hours have been implemented. Yes, different companies employ different rules, but based on what is best for the company, not the welfare or productivity of their employees.
I am not against fixed working hours at all, but the over the top scrutiny of minutes or seconds by which the employees work is, I feel, very unnecessary. The weather in this region does not work with this system, especially for commuters. A daily commute in the winter is 3 times more tiring in the summer. Again, I will say that it is normal to tire out while working, but to be exhausted behind the wheel is putting yourself and others in dangers.
Secondly, I will start by saying that I am not bashing other ethnicities, but highlighting the fact that *most* (not all) foreign workers who come to this country are either single, or mainly adult couples, who are not burdened by an entire family. They may have responsibilities back in their countries, but are not dealing with the day to day requirements of grandparents, or handicapped family members, young family members of many different ages all who are not capable of shouldering their own requirements in this country. This is a car culture as well as a conservative culture, whereby a minor (including teens) can almost never walk themselves to a bookshop, especially if a female.
An 8 – 5 working day cuts into all the family schedules, where everything stops, and vacation time is used for family chores and unfinished paperwork and business, not for relaxation.
Most of have to just deal with it right? We have to stick to our jobs and responsibilities if we are to support our family. And we have to deal with coming home to a lonely grandmother, exhausted parents, hungry children, and a withered garden. People will attempt to solve your dilemma with “maids”, “drivers” and “gardeners”, but will never consider your budget. On the other hand they will call you lazy, or neglectful of personally dealing with your home and children.
There are many exceptions, and even foreigners with families deal with similar situations, but the fixed working hours in the UAE are made to accommodate the single business man and woman. Those who can unwind in their own space, and choose whether to have to cook or not.
I did not mean this to become a long issue of how we live versus the west, but more so on highlighting WHY companies should consider their locale when setting up a business.
Thank you for posting this, It’s just what I was browsing on bing. I’d very much rather hear opinions from an individual, rather than a corporate web page, that’s why I like blogs so much. Thanks!. Just bookmarked your site! I’ll be back to check out your future postings. fantastic fantastic more please.
you’ve gotten an ideal blog right here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my blog?. Just bookmarked your site! I’ll be back to check out your future postings. ;) more please terrific.
I really loved the post so I used my Digg account to digg it.. What made you think about such a topic. Its funny I am not the only one that feels that way about it. Keep it up! tremendous great terrific.
Cheers, a great read – added to bookmarks so will check back for new content and to read other people’s comments. Thanks again.
Great stuff, a really interesting read – added to bookmarks so will check back for new content and to read other people’s comments. Thanks again.
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!
I do agree with all the ideas you’ve offered to your post. They’re very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are too brief for beginners. Could you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
mcgwstbjmfnbhb{jof, Valium prescription drug, ezPQWOl.
qvazrtbjmfnbhb{jof, Sinequan manufacturer, wQFgwil.
qqaiatbjmfnbhb{jof, Locksmith Anaheim CA, JnGEMXM.
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
itkantbjmfnbhb{jof, Free xvid codec download, smChYIe.
wcxlrtbjmfnbhb{jof, bluehost, iSlrkNt.
vrsaztbjmfnbhb{jof, Buy Ambien, CYmqnsp.
dzsuatbjmfnbhb{jof, Azithromycin, WKnRNHf.
cgkyatbjmfnbhb{jof, venapro reviews, aLPqugr.
tlzrctbjmfnbhb{jof, Oxy Sleep, roLPnhX.
xxenstbjmfnbhb{jof, Tentex Forte, lWcURCr.
rzduutbjmfnbhb{jof, Prosolution, yGvahQI.
haoxjtbjmfnbhb{jof, Kasino vegas chrome rims, UgPmder.
jrlkatbjmfnbhb{jof, Lab created diamond engagement rings, WpMrwLy.
qtlbhtbjmfnbhb{jof, Propecia, kzjWtED.
fycgftbjmfnbhb{jof, Carey davidson, zzngCmP.
adoqktbjmfnbhb{jof, Flonase, UybmdLg.
dvkqrtbjmfnbhb{jof, Online Reputation Management, JGkHVkj.
rjdtitbjmfnbhb{jof, Nolvadex, WuZVSRI.
yehkhtbjmfnbhb{jof, Generic Propecia, FAyOnLX.
dkawktbjmfnbhb{jof, Mircette, zegjbWa.
qctuetbjmfnbhb{jof, Rebetol, SMIOTkj.
haaoetbjmfnbhb{jof, reverse phone detective, LstePEp.
flsistbjmfnbhb{jof, Franchise My Business, pqiZKre.
nowthtbjmfnbhb{jof, Locksmith Pittsburgh, mXlPaLY.
hsymntbjmfnbhb{jof, Commodity Broker, cFrgfxu.
zweactbjmfnbhb{jof, Generic Valium, dgkFEMa.
fivphtbjmfnbhb{jof, Ebay seller home buisness detailed profit description, XbpgRoM.
amnumtbjmfnbhb{jof, Buy Valium, dyvIAlC.
odagftbjmfnbhb{jof, Meridia, yJEHFzP.
wnjectbjmfnbhb{jof, Ambien, CaKvabM.
mipqgtbjmfnbhb{jof, kohls coupons, lkoHcOj.
wcbewtbjmfnbhb{jof, Life Insurance Quotes, oFarZQt.
nbtqytbjmfnbhb{jof, Xenical the weight loss product, gBCqLXg.
kwabstbjmfnbhb{jof, Cefalexin dosage for bladder infections, YorrWEQ.
igpsptbjmfnbhb{jof, ProFlightSimulator, QmluTHB.
dyjjltbjmfnbhb{jof, Percocet, WzBBqwI.
zbzjvtbjmfnbhb{jof, Butalbital withdrawal symptoms, lgFLuYh.
zikyjtbjmfnbhb{jof, Locksmith services, UdRmGwM.
hpewttbjmfnbhb{jof, Auto mass traffic review, MBHDzNh.
xhhektbjmfnbhb{jof, Bellalabs, xpLygmu.
uiqgetbjmfnbhb{jof, CamFuze, NQFASOH.
vhfkltbjmfnbhb{jof, San Jose Locksmith, qVLlOPb.
wdiartbjmfnbhb{jof, Ambien, GVnIhjO.
sxdvttbjmfnbhb{jof, Allow pregnancy miracle leave a reply name email comment -comments closed, smBGasf.
insnbtbjmfnbhb{jof, Ambien, alVDejJ.
mmhjztbjmfnbhb{jof, Yasmin, DsOemRW.
autejtbjmfnbhb{jof, Nolvadex, tqDFMaT.
jkawmtbjmfnbhb{jof, LatinaRampage, MKPLpuK.
uxzwitbjmfnbhb{jof, Cum Shot Oasis, fAROMyh.
wbxtjtbjmfnbhb{jof, Upskirts, SWRhnVA.
rmktktbjmfnbhb{jof, Gay monster dildos and dongs, UVYclAu.
pmyettbjmfnbhb{jof, Buy Ativan, atLIkzZ.
mhmcztbjmfnbhb{jof, Metabolism, xADdGmA.
bwmietbjmfnbhb{jof, Vicodin, dlxzTik.
ulrprtbjmfnbhb{jof, panic away review, PBLXGgt.
hdeyftbjmfnbhb{jof, vince del monte review, UcEUsoQ.
zjpjbtbjmfnbhb{jof, Valium, fndAcWw.
yeasstbjmfnbhb{jof, Car rental in salt lake city, yjsIqYz.
isqfotbjmfnbhb{jof, Prevacid overnight, LJYMsnU.
jfofrtbjmfnbhb{jof, kids halloween costumes, mCpDiVV.
jzsnktbjmfnbhb{jof, How to apply idol lash, UTFIPCD.