For a long time, the concept of work-life balance felt like an unattainable myth; all it took was a global pandemic and the ensuing government-enforced lockdowns to show employers that their staff could work remotely and still get the job done.
In fact, studies show that remote employees work more hours overall than those based in an office for part or all of the week—remote workers put in an extra 8.7 hours per week on average compared to their office-based colleagues who average 6.5 extra hours.
Post-pandemic a vast number of organisations have come around to the idea that flexible working conditions should be a permanent fixture.
And research shows that adopting a more flexible approach to where we work has not only improved work-life balance, but our mental and physical wellbeing too.
However, for some remote workers, real flexibility doesn’t pertain to physical location only. There’s an increasing shift towards non-linear or asynchronous working styles, which essentially allow remote workers to work on their own schedule, instead of following the traditional 9-5 model.
What is a non-linear work day?
The premise of a non-linear workflow is simple: remote employees focus on outcomes rather than the tasks they must complete by a certain date or time, for example hitting weekly or even monthly targets, or driving revenue per quarter instead of focussing on projects or a daily workflow.
Why are some employees seeking it?
From the parents who wish they had more time to spend with their children during the day to the marathon runner who needs to train for up to three hours, non-linear work allows employees to segment their days, manage their own schedules, and fit work in around the things that matter to them.
Neurodiverse workers may also benefit; those with ADHD often find they are most productive at night, and therefore sleep later in the morning.
What are the pros and cons and which companies are open to change?
The benefits of non-linear work are manifold: not only does it empower employees to work when they’re most productive, it gives team members the autonomy to do so. And while some employers might baulk at the idea of giving their staff free rein, non-linear work can make teams more efficient, allow employees to thrive and frequently show more dedication and discipline towards their work.
However, there are some challenges that can’t be overlooked. Non-linear work requires organisation and communication, especially if teams need one member to complete a task before another can start their piece of the work. There’s also the danger of disengagement, something that all remote workers can struggle with when they don’t see team members face-to-face on a regular basis or by having regular check-ins.
The good news is that many organisations are already leaning in to the idea of non-linear work and for good reason: according to a recent study, 37% of European employees are prepared to decline a job if flexible hours are not offered, and just over two thirds (69%) would accept a pay cut in exchange for flexible hours.
Looking for true flexibility when it comes to work-life balance? Discover three jobs below that offer flexible hours.
Database DevOps Engineer, Salesforce, Dublin
Salesforce is the global leader in customer relationship management (CRM) software and has pioneered the shift to cloud computing. It also offers its employees flexible working locations stating on the company website that in our “always-connected world, it no longer makes sense to expect employees to work an eight-hour shift and do their jobs successfully.”
Salesforce Dublin is hiring a Database DevOps Engineer with a strong database background and public cloud background to work with a team that is responsible for the architecture, design, developing, and testing the next generation of relational database management systems (RDBMS). Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering, a cloud certification, and experience with related cloud technologies. See the full job description here.
Data Engineer – Python, HUMAN CAPiTAL, Amsterdam
HUMAN CAPiTAL is recruiting a Data Engineer – Python for a client based in Amsterdam which specialises in creating software used by healthcare institutions which helps medical workers calculate and decrease the risk of post-surgery infections. In this role you’ll maintain and enhance the internal data warehouse and create data flows to assist the work of the data scientists. You’ll create and maintain ETL components, create tests to automate data integrity checks, resolve problems with data availability and integrity, and manage and monitor data gathering procedures.
As well as the option of remote or hybrid working models, this role also offers flexible working hours. You will need a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in computer science, proficiency with Python and SQL along with knowledge of Linux, and excellent written and verbal English. Apply here.
Azure Operations Specialist, Rencore, Munich or remote
Working with the rest of the IT operations team, the Azure Operations Specialist will be tasked with managing Rencore’s cloud infrastructure by planning and deploying ongoing cloud systems while keeping a security and improvement perspective that aligns with the architecture requirements from the product team and the wider business plans. The ideal candidate will have experience building and maintaining Microsoft Azure cloud platforms and technology solutions. Experience with PowerShell is a plus. You’ll also get the choice to work from Munich or remotely with flexible working hours. See more details here.
For more opportunities across Europe, check out the House of Talent Job Board today