More flexibility in the job means less stress and greater satisfaction

Flexible working time models increase the well-being of employees. This was confirmed by a representative study conducted by the Sotomo research institute in spring 2024 on behalf of the Swiss Employers' Association, which included 1670 employees in Switzerland. 

Flexibility improves work-life balance

The study shows that flexible working time arrangements make it easier for employees to fulfill their social and family obligations. It is therefore not surprising that parents of underage children in particular prefer more flexible working time models, as these allow them to better coordinate their working day with their care responsibilities. 

Flexibility leads to less stress and less strain

81% of respondents stated that more flexibility in working hours would reduce their stress levels. 76 percent of respondents with completely flexible working hours stated that work and leisure often merge, but only 10 percent of these people find this mixture stressful. In contrast, the proportion of those with fixed working hours who feel that mixing work and leisure time is a burden is 16 percent. People with flexible working time models are therefore more likely to mix work and leisure than people with fixed working hours, but they are comparatively less likely to perceive this mixture as a burden. These findings clearly contradict the theory often put forward by trade unions that flexible working hours inevitably lead to a stressful mix of work and leisure.

Flexibility as an important factor in combating the labor shortage

Flexible working time models also offer opportunities in the fight against the increasingly acute labor shortage. The study shows that more flexible working hours not only increase employee satisfaction, but also their willingness to increase their workload. More than a quarter (28%) of respondents in part-time employment could imagine increasing their workload if the work could be done more flexibly. This encourages employers in their call for more flexibility: "The study shows that flexible working hours not only reduce stress, but can also make an important contribution to combating the labor shortage. If we want to make even better use of the potential workforce, this need for more flexibility on the part of employees should be addressed as well as possible. Politicians also have a role to play here," says Daniella Lützelschwab, Head of Labor Market and Employment Law at the Swiss Employers' Association.

Source: www.arbeitgeber.ch