New Gallup data finds that 62% of U.S. employees lack predictable and stable work schedules that allow them some input on work hours and when they can take time off – a situation that can lead to decreased productivity and higher turnover.
The American Job Quality Study, a survey of over 18,000 U.S. workers, found that employees with “high-quality work schedules” are more likely than those without to feel financially secure, enjoy work-life balance and report being satisfied with their job.
Gallup defined “high quality” work schedules as having three attributes:
- Predictability: The employee knows their schedule at least two weeks in advance unless they have substantial control over when and how much they work.
- Stability: The employee’s total weekly hours do not fluctuate by more than 25% over the course of a month unless the variation is by the employee’s choice.
- Control: The employee has input into two or more aspects of their schedule — how many hours they work, what days they work, or when they can take a few hours off for personal reasons.
The data showed that only 35% of U.S. workers have high-quality work schedules. The remainder have either low-quality work schedules (27%) or medium-quality work schedules (35%) or expressed no opinion (3%).
“When workers lack high-quality schedules, it’s not just their wellbeing that suffers — employers and the broader economy are affected, too,” said Julie Ray, senior content consultant for Gallup. “Businesses bear the costs of turnover and absenteeism, while unpredictable schedules can leave workers with less income and less time to spend. This, in turn, can weaken consumer spending and slow economic growth.”
Unpredictable, unstable, and uncontrollable work schedules are a challenge for all types of employees, but part-time workers and employees whose highest level of education is less than an associate degree are more likely to have jobs with low-quality schedules. A low-quality schedule was described as one where the employee has no control over their schedule and it lacks predictability or stability.
Employees without a college degree are more likely to work part time and have a low-quality work schedule (31%). While higher educational attainment is generally associated with better work schedules, it does not offer full protection: More than one in four employees with an associate degree (26%) and over one in five with a bachelor's degree (22%) still report having a low-quality schedule.
The findings released by Gallup on June 10, are the first of many from a broader multiyear research effort on job quality led by Jobs for the Future, The Families & Workers Fund, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, and Gallup. The full study will be released this fall and will also measure benefits, stability and pay that support financial wellbeing; whether employees have safe respectful work environments; whether employees have a voice in decision making; and whether employees feel they have upskilling opportunities.
