New Paychex Research Reveals the Impacts of Unpredictable Work Schedules, Especially Among Part-Time Workers, Younger Generations, and Hybrid Workers

Rhea-AI Summary

Research from Paychex reveals the negative effects of unpredictable work schedules on both full-time and part-time employees, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings include that 30% of respondents reported having unpredictable schedules, impacting their personal commitments (44%), mental health (24%), and financial stability (30%). Part-time workers are more affected, with 34% experiencing financial distress. The study indicates that younger generations face greater burnout and prioritize personal development less due to these irregular schedules.

Positive

• The research highlights an important issue affecting employee well-being, supporting potential future product development or services by Paychex.
• The findings position Paychex as a thought leader in human capital management, likely enhancing brand reputation.

Negative

• The report underlines challenges faced by part-time workers, potentially indicating a struggle in employee retention.
• Increased reports of burnout and mental health issues among younger employees could lead to higher turnover rates.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from Paychex, Inc., a leading provider of integrated human capital management software solutions for human resources, payroll, benefits, and insurance services, reveals the adverse impacts of unpredictable work schedules on full-time and part-time employees. Given the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and related staffing challenges, three-in-ten respondents reported having slightly or extremely unpredictable work schedules. The research was conducted in partnership with Future Workplace, an Executive Networks member company.

According to the report, respondents indicated that the top five impacts of an irregular schedule are:

• Difficulty scheduling personal commitments (44%)
• Feeling burned out (39%)
• Financial distress (30%)
• Feeling disconnected from family and friends (30%)
• Inability to take care of mental health (24%)

Part-time Workers Face Challenges Due to Unpredictable Schedules
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, part-time workers make up about 20% of the employed U.S. workforce. Of those part-time workers, 63% are women. The Paychex research found that schedules were more likely to be slightly or extremely unpredictable for part-time workers (31%) than full-time workers (23%). Part-time employees are also facing other challenges:

• Part-time workers (34%) are more likely to report financial distress as an outcome of having an unpredictable schedule compared to full-time workers (26%).
• Part-time workers (42%) are more likely to report working fewer hours per week due to the COVID-19 pandemic than full-time workers (21%).

"The future workplace will likely continue with part- and full-time workers in a variety of settings and schedules, and employees are experiencing challenges with unpredictable schedules," said Alison Stevens, director of HR Services at Paychex. "As employers consider their processes related to employee scheduling – only 34% of employees said they can choose the days or hours they'd like to work – they should consider both short- and long-term impacts when schedules stray from regularity, and prioritize flexibility, strong communication, and well-being support."

Hybrid Workers' Sentiments on Work Schedules
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed hybrid workers' schedules, with 29% of hybrid workers saying they are now working more hours per week, compared to 21% of fully on-site and 25% of remote employees.

Other key findings about hybrid workers and schedule instability include:

• Struggles with Mental Health: Hybrid workers (29%) are more likely to report difficulty taking care of mental health due to unpredictable schedules than fully remote workers (23%) and fully on-site workers (21%).
• Work Life Balance Issues: Hybrid workers (36%) are more likely to feel disconnected from their family and friends due to an unpredictable schedule than fully on-site workers (31%) and fully remote workers (21%).
• Disconnect in the Office: Hybrid workers (26%) are significantly more likely to feel disconnected from their team/job because of an unpredictable schedule than fully on-site workers (17%) and fully remote workers (15%).

Younger Generations Feel the Impacts of Schedule Instability
According to the report, A Disrupted Year: How the Arrival of Covid-19 Affected Youth Disconnection by Measure of America, some younger workers have removed themselves from the job market entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Paychex study, among the generations surveyed, Gen Z was more likely to report that their hours worked per week had changed as a result of the pandemic, with 31% saying their hours decreased and 28% saying they increased.

The key challenges younger generations say they face with an unpredictable schedule are:

• Burn Out: Millennials (44%) and Gen Z (43%) are more likely to feel burnt out due to an unpredictable work schedule compared to Boomers (33%) and Gen X (35%).
• Personal Development: Millennials (24%) and Gen Z (28%) are more likely to say they're unable to prioritize their development due to an unpredictable work schedule than older generations (Boomers 12%; Gen X 17%).
• Mental Health: Millennials (29%) are more likely to say they're unable to take care of their mental health as a result of unpredictable work schedules compared to Boomers (14%).

"We've seen the workplace evolve so much over the past few years, including hours worked by employees. Over half (55%) of respondents in this report say the hours they work per week has changed since the pandemic," said Jeanne Meister, the founder of Future Workplace and executive vice president at Executive Networks. "Employers need to do what they can to help support workers feeling the pressure of an unpredictable schedule."

For more insights from this survey, please view the full research report.

About the Research
This data is the result of an online survey of 605 full-time and part-time employees at small to mid-size businesses in the U.S. fielded from February 18 – March 1, 2022. Note: For this study, basis of pay (i.e., salaried versus hourly) was not collected from respondents. This is a survey in a series of research reports administered by Future Workplace that will focus on the employee point of view and pinpoint top concerns, priorities, and trends facing the modern workforce.

About Paychex
Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) is a leading provider of integrated human capital management solutions for human resources, payroll, benefits, and insurance services. By combining its innovative software-as-a-service technology and mobility platform with dedicated, personal service, Paychex empowers small- and medium-sized business owners to focus on the growth and management of their business. Backed by 50 years of industry expertise, Paychex serves more than 710,000 payroll clients as of May 31, 2021 in the U.S. and Europe, and pays one out of every 12 American private sector employees. Learn more about Paychex by visiting paychex.com and stay connected on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

Samantha Jean
Paychex, Inc.
(585) 218-6086
skjean@paychex.com

Maggie Pryslak
Mower
585-576-1083
mpryslak@mower.com

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SOURCE Paychex, Inc.

FAQ

What does the recent Paychex research reveal about work schedules?

The research indicates unpredictable work schedules negatively affect employees, with 30% reporting instability, leading to issues such as burnout and financial distress.

How do unpredictable schedules impact part-time workers according to Paychex?

Part-time workers report greater financial distress (34%) and a higher likelihood of unfavorable schedules compared to full-time workers.

What percentage of employees reported unpredictable work schedules in the Paychex study?

According to the study, 30% of respondents reported having slightly or extremely unpredictable work schedules.

What demographic is most affected by unpredictable work schedules according to Paychex?

Younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, report higher levels of burnout and challenges in personal development due to unpredictable schedules.

What implications does Paychex suggest for employers regarding employee scheduling?

Employers are advised to prioritize flexibility, communication, and well-being support to address the challenges posed by unpredictable work schedules.