The CEO of a global company has claimed the traditional 9-5 work model is 'fading', warning against strict return-to-office mandates.
The CEO of a global freelancing platform has claimed the traditional 9-5 work model is fading and warned bosses that many employees will view the rise in return-to-office mandates as a step backwards.
Micha Kaufman, CEO and founder of Fiverr, a platform that connects freelancers to businesses looking to hire, believes the 9am to 5pm model has been outdated for years, with the pandemic serving as a catalyst for change in the workplace.
Speaking to news.com.au, Mr Kaufman said remote and hybrid models have proven the value of flexibility when it comes to work, allowing people to not only achieve a healthier work-life balance but, in many cases, also enhancing productivity.
At the same time, the rise of freelancers has further highlighted that the traditional 9-to-5 structure isn't the only solution for the modern workforce, he said.
Requiring employees to be in a specific location for a set number of hours can feel restrictive, limiting creativity and individual productivity.
We are all different, and it's unrealistic to expect everyone to be at their peak for the same eight-hour stretch.
CEO of Fiverr, Micha Kaufman. Picture: Supplied
Mr Kaufman believes that shifting to a project-based approach could benefit businesses in many ways the old model could not.
The CEO believes that focusing on outcomes, rather than hours or where the work is being completed, would allow companies to engage the strengths of their workforce more effectively.
It's time we move away from rigid time frames and embrace a more dynamic, outcome-driven way of working, he said.
There has been a major increase in companies ordering employees back into the office.
In a memo issued to staff on September 26,Dell gave employees four days noticebefore they were required to return to the office five days a week, with the change kicking in on September 30.
Similarly, Flight Centre staff have been ordered back to their office or shops five days a week, except when travelling.
A memo shared earlier this month to Australian staff pointed to a video with the Brisbane-based chief people and culture officer, who claimed a key part of our culture is the ability to form connections together in person.
It follows similar directives from major companies likeAmazonandTabcorp, along with an announcement from NSW Premier Christ Minns back in August declaring the end of remote working privileges.
An increasing number of Aussies are turning to freelancing in order to achieve the work-life balance they want. Picture: iStock
Mr Kaufman said there are undeniable benefits to being in an office setting, such as team camaraderie and maintaining a clear boundary between work and home. However, the CEO noted it was also important to recognise that the workplace has evolved.
The flexibility that many have enjoyed in recent years has allowed people to create work routines that better suit their personal needs and lifestyles, he said.
Forcing a full-time return to the office can feel like a step backward, disrupting the autonomy and balance that many have become accustomed to.
One worker who is adamant that she will never go back to working a traditional in-office job is Amy de Groot.
Having over 20 years of experience in marketing in leadership roles under her belt, the Melbourne worker recently pivoted into the freelance space and is now fractional CMO at marketing consultancy, The Brand Aid.
A fractional CMO essentially fulfils a company's need for a chief marketing officer without the commitment of a full-time position.
Ms de Groot made the shift after being made redundant and finding herself unable to land a new permanent job, despite submitting hundreds of applications.
Asked if she would ever consider going back to a strict 9-5 office job, the 39-year-old said that would be a hard no.
Fractional CMO, Amy de Groot, says she will never go back to working a regular in-office job. Picture: Supplied
I would not even consider working with a client who insisted that I was strictly to be in their office, she told news.com.au.
The fractional model allows me to create obvious value and deliver high-impact results for clients from anywhere in the world, while maintaining a work-life balance that suits my needs and maximises my productivity. I'm thriving.
The change has allowed her to have greater control over her schedule and work environment. Though, while she has a better work-life balance day-to-day, she conceded it can be difficult to take a sustained amount of time off in comparison to having a permanent position.
My daily routine has become more diverse, as I work with multiple clients across various industries and as a result I am learning more in a few months than what I would have previously learned in one year in a permanent role, Ms de Groot said.
Work no longer feels like a chore, I'm genuinely excited to get stuck into solving problems every morning.
In terms of salary, the Melbourne worker revealed a position as a high level fractional CMO can allow for competitive compensation rates. On top of this, there is also the ability to take on multiple fractional roles, which can result in a substantial income increase, compared to a single permanent role.
As someone who has managed teams of fractional specialists, Ms de Groot has seen first-hand how people thrive when allowed to work flexibly versus in a strict in-office role.
She said it would be a huge business mistake to discount a worker just because they want to work remotely or have their fit their work week into four days instead of five.
These individuals are truly top-tier talent, and any company that doesn't want to accommodate their needs is missing out, she said.
Of course, this doesn't mean they never spend face-to-face time with clients. It's about finding the right balance that allows for both productivity and necessary in-person interactions.
Fiverr has seen tremendous growth driven by people seeking greater control over their work schedules and environments.
Research from the company has found there is a significant shift already underway in Australian businesses, with 70 per cent of those surveyed having hired freelancers in the last 12 months.
Contributing factors include economic pressures, market instability and evolving workforce preferences.
Mr Kaufman said Gen Z and Millennials, who will make up the majority of the workforce by 2030, have grown up with much more flexible arrangements and increasingly expect autonomy over when and where they work.
These workers seek purpose, balance, and the freedom to integrate their personal lives with their careers, he said.
He added that rigid full-time roles also often fail to accommodate the needs of parents and caregivers, with flexible arrangements crucial in balancing work and family life.
Freelance and fractional workers can provide businesses with specialised skills on-demand, which can complement the efforts of full-time workers.
Our research shows that 62 per cent of businesses are considering freelance or fractional workers as part of their workforce mix by 2025, the CEO said.
Looking ahead, it's clear that businesses need to evolve their hiring practices. To attract the best talent, they must adapt to how professionals want to work.
The old 9-to-5 model is fading, replaced by a more dynamic, project-based, and flexible future of work.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/huge-mistake-why-australia-needs-to-rethink-the-returntooffice-push/news-story/c1a996ebc825ca3150b65c868110b014
