Working 9 to 5.

"Working nine to five, what a way to make a living
Barely getting by, it's all taking and no giving"

The song, certainly the concept of 9 to 5 and even Dolly Parton all sound a bit cute and dated in today's frenzied work environment. It' s a concept remembered with fondness for those who still remember what the 6 o'clock news looked like. I know a lot of people would like to tie up their boss, ala Dolly and her co workers, and change the office environment but the whole 9 to 5 concept is coming under pressure without rope and duct tape.

Flex time, job sharing, shifts and freelancing are all putting pressure on a traditional model that required attendance for certain periods of the day to make the company and the boss feel comfortable that work had taken place. The issue is that work doesn't necessarily happen at work and if you can avoid the meeting and interruption cycle, endemic at most places of employment, you might just get some business done. Hours have always been a way to measure productivity but mobility has put paid to that concept with work being anywhere and work hours being anytime.

The trick is that unstructured work is not for everyone and without strict parameters many people feel under duress to complete tasks when is there is no finish time or finish line. If the environment can be turned into a results oriented work place, then the opportunity to restructure that mindset can be integrated into the work place. Flexibility can also have an impact on lifestyle and we know that blurred lines regarding work times can lead to the scenario of, if you can work anytime, then you can work all the time. So the added stress of imposing your own work hours can lead many to stay and feel comfortable in a 9 to 5 environment, even if neither of those times are relevant to the hours they actually work.

So different skills are required when adapting to the new order, along with personal learnings on what people can accomplish by themselves outside of the walls. Many home offices started as a small desk in the bedroom but have had to evolve into a proper work space with WiFi, printers and no working in pajamas and fluffy slippers. Sometimes it's the little things like work attire at home, that enable people to feel they are still in the office environment and in control.

Along with personal changes, company perceptions and measurements need to be aligned so people working outside the system feel they have the backing from management as well as the people who stay in the office. Backing that they are still considered part of the group, the team and the company when it comes to celebrating milestones and achievements.

So Dolly can untie her boss in the knowledge he gets it and understands that although 9 to 5 may still be his domain, his employees have moved on and are much more empowered by the flexibility of today's new work environment.