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Choosing When to Work: The Productivity Effects of Flexible Scheduling

Author

Listed:
  • Rakesh Banerjee

    (University of Exeter Business School)

  • Tushar Bharati

    (Department of Economics, University of Western Australia)

  • Adnan Fakir

    (University of Sussex Business School, Brighton, UK)

  • Yiwei Qian

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China)

Abstract

Do flexible working hours benefit or hurt productivity? To answer this question, we conducted an experiment on a major online freelance platform. We began with three data entry job postings that were identical except for the level of flexibility in work hours. For each job, we invited a randomly selected group of freelancers to apply, and we hired all freelancers who accepted the job offer. Next, among the freelancers hired for jobs with no or limited flexibility, a randomly chosen subset was later granted full flexibility. We find that, compared to freelancers hired for the flexible job, those who had no flexibility in choosing work hours produced 25% fewer correct entries. Around 40% of this effect is explained by selection - more productive workers are more likely to choose flexible jobs. The remaining 60% is a direct effect of reduced flexibility in choosing work hour

Suggested Citation

  • Rakesh Banerjee & Tushar Bharati & Adnan Fakir & Yiwei Qian, 2026. "Choosing When to Work: The Productivity Effects of Flexible Scheduling," Economics Discussion / Working Papers 26-06, The University of Western Australia, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwa:wpaper:26-06
    Note: MD5 = 3c40194a128f381ba5979038cc15d557
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software

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