Robert Walters’ information means that microshifting could possibly be the subsequent evolution of versatile working.
The worldwide pandemic and AI wave have in some ways altered how modern-day workers strategy working life. Distant and hybrid alternatives have given professionals larger management over their hours, making a stronger sense of work-life steadiness.
New analysis from recruitment platform Robert Walters signifies that there could now be a brand new working development impacting the skilled area: microshifting. That is outlined as an strategy to hours which sees the standard working day break up into shorter blocks of time, based mostly round an expert’s private obligations or power peaks.
Robert Walters collected information from 850 white-collar, full-time, everlasting professionals based mostly in Eire between December of 2025 and January of this yr. What the report found is that greater than half (59pc) of contributing Irish workers need their place of employment to undertake a microshifting schedule.
Some respondents have famous that obtainable versatile working fashions usually are not working as effectively or successfully as they may. Solely 36pc of Irish staff said that their firm’s present coverage is match for objective.
“Regardless of years of debate round versatile working, many organisations nonetheless measure dedication by visibility relatively than outcomes,” mentioned Suzanne Feeney, the nation supervisor at Robert Walters Eire. “Tendencies like microshifting will proceed to emerge as professionals search flexibility that truly works, as a substitute of insurance policies that look progressive on paper however fail in apply.”
Shifting values
Regardless of issues that versatile working ends in decrease engagement, Robert Walters’ report highlights that flexibility in hours can result in elevated workplace attendance. Of those that contributed their information, 42pc responded that switching to a microshifting strategy would encourage them to extend the variety of days they spend within the workplace every week.
Feeney mentioned: “Providing versatile hours could really feel counterproductive for employers seeking to improve workplace attendance. But, a extra adaptable schedule, with out the stress of rush hour commutes or staying at their desk all day, may inspire professionals to attend the workplace extra steadily.”
Greater than a 3rd of line managers (37pc) surveyed by Robert Walters thought microshifting may assist enhance engagement inside their groups, whereas an extra 44pc mentioned they had been open to testing it out.
Feeney added: “Microshifting is a extra clear model of the unofficial versatile working preparations that exist already in lots of organisations. For managers and senior leaders, the query is whether or not it must be ruled by belief and outcomes or quietly negotiated between colleagues.”
In accordance with the info, nonetheless, worries persist, as almost 50pc of surveyed managers expressed issues that microshifting may lead to larger situations of “quiet quitting“ and “slacking”.
Feeney mentioned: “Whereas fears of microshifting fuelling disengagement are justified, the fact is that inflexible working patterns are already pushing professionals to hunt workarounds.
“Our findings counsel that when expectations are clear and efficiency is measured by outcomes relatively than visibility, microshifting has the potential to extend engagement, accountability and even time spent within the workplace.”
Extra analysis revealed immediately (26 February) by CPL additionally explored how organisations need to do extra to encourage key expertise loyalty. CPL’s Wage Information for Eire 2026 discovered that whereas compensation and advantages proceed to be the highest precedence for 35pc of contributing workers, 24pc of pros mentioned that management and tradition are a very powerful components to think about when selecting an employer.
CPL’s analysis additionally discovered that versatile working has advanced from a perk to a important part of worker packages, rating because the second most necessary profit general amongst contributing contributors.
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