Workplace scheduling as we knew it will never be the same. For that, we can thank COVID-19.

Many operators who once required onsite attendance five days a week are giving the mandate a rethink, especially for admin staff. Some are embracing a hybrid approach allowing employees to work remotely a few days each week. Others are allowing select staff to simply work from home.

It’s not too hard to see why the work-from-home option is gaining traction. Its various benefits include more independence, combined with less commuting and reduced costs for things like transportation, clothing and food. 

I’m not convinced large-scale telecommuting is going to take hold in a field like long-term care, where hands-on attention is such an essential part of the job.

However, another emerging shift just might. I’m referring, of course, to the four-day work week.

One approach here is to have staff clock in for four, 10-hour shifts, rather than the traditional five days at eight hours each.

New Zealand-based Perpetual Guardian recently tested the concept. They found employees finished just as much work, experienced greater job satisfaction  and became more loyal. Workers also reported reduced stress and took less sick leave. One pilot study does not make a movement. Still, those are some impressive results.

We are also starting to see a push toward shorter shifts, which very likely could become an unmitigated disaster.

Legislation introduced last week by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) would reduce the national standard work week to four days or 32 hours. In the unlikely event this occurs, filling positions would be all but impossible.

Clearly, change is in the air. We just don’t yet know which new approach — if any — is going to emerge as the new standard.

Who knows? We might even see some operators offering three-day work weeks with 12 hour shifts. Sounds crazy. But before you dismiss it, know that many hospitals already give nurses that option.

Of course, all these scheduling options will matter little until this field learns to solve a more fundamental challenge: convincing more good people to stay. 

From the September 2021 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News