Elis Shin, Joana Chang, Sebastian Muñoz Awad

Studies show that flexible work arrangements increase employee engagement and productivity. Many organizations now allow employees to choose where they work, but few let their workers decide when they work. We designed Sync to help organizations understand employees' time-related needs and redesign work time. Our platform asks employees when they work most effectively, with the aim of catalyzing conversations about collaboration and inclusiveness at the workplace. Drawing on research from psychology, chronobiology, and organizational design, Sync offers insights and makes recommendations. Our tested strategy shows that forward-thinking organizations are flexible about the hours employees work. They are attuned to the ways their employees think and feel about and deal with time. They use data about employees' energy peaks to make decisions about work activities. And they respect their employees' values, commitments, and boundaries.