Flexible working hours during pandemic yielded great: report

Geneva: A new study suggested that reduced working hours, more flexible time arrangements etc., similar to that when pandemic lockdowns were imposed, could improve the quality of work as well as productivity.

Thus it would benefit economies, businesses and workers, IANS reported, citing the study report released by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

First of its kind in the world, the report 'Working Time and Work-Life Balance Around the World' provide a comprehensive review of both main aspects of working time -- working hours and working time arrangements -- and their effects on workers' work-life balance, news agency Xinhua reported.

The report states that a majority of the global workforce works either longer or shorter when compared to a standard eight-hour day or 40-hour working week. More than one-third of all workers are working more than 48 hours a week, and a fifth of the workforce does short hours i.e., is less than 35 hours a week.

Measures during the pandemic yielded meaty evidence that flexibility in working conditions could be positive both for the workforce as well as businesses.

The report underscored that Inclusive short-time work schemes with the highest possible allowances not only maintain employment but also sustain purchasing power and create the possibility of cushioning the effects of economic crises.

It suggested that public policy responses are needed to promote reductions in hours of work in many countries to promote a healthy work-life balance.

"There is a substantial amount of evidence that work-life balance policies provide significant benefits to enterprises, supporting the argument that such policies are a 'win-win' for both employers and employees," the report stated.