For a long time, the concept of work-life balance felt like an unattainable myth; all it took was a global pandemic and subsequent government-enforced lockdowns to show employers that their workforce could work remotely and still get the job done.

In fact, studies show that remote workers generally work longer hours than those who work part or all of the week in the office – remote workers Deploy an additional 8.7 hours per week on average compared to their colleagues in the office who work an extra 6.5 hours on average.

After the pandemic, a large number of organizations have come to the idea that flexible working conditions should be a permanent feature.

And research shows that a more flexible approach to where we work has not only improved work-life balance, but also our mental and physical well-being.

However, for some home workers, real flexibility isn’t just about physical location. There is an increasing shift to non-linear or asynchronous work styles, which essentially allow telecommuters to work on their own schedule, rather than following the traditional 9-5 model.

What is a non-linear workday?

The premise of a non-linear workflow is simple: remote workers focus on results rather than the tasks they need to complete by a specific date or time, for example meeting weekly or even monthly goals, or generating revenue quarterly instead of focusing on projects or a day-to-day workflow.

Why do some employees look for it?

From the parents who wish they could spend more time with their kids during the day to the marathon runner who has to train for up to three hours, non-linear work allows employees to organize their days, manage their own schedules and fit work around the things that matter to them are.

Neurodiverse workers can also benefit; people with ADHD often find that they are most productive at night and therefore sleep later in the morning.

What are the pros and cons and which companies are open to change?

The benefits of non-linear work are many: it not only allows employees to work when they are most productive, it also gives team members the autonomy to do so. And while some employers may shy away from the idea of ​​giving their workforce free rein, non-linear work can make teams more efficient, allow employees to thrive, and often show greater dedication and discipline to their work.

However, there are some challenges that should not be overlooked. Non-linear work requires organization and communication, especially when teams need one member to complete a task before another can begin their part of the work. There’s also the danger of disengagement, something all remote workers can struggle with if they don’t see team members face-to-face or check in on a regular basis.

The good news is that many organizations are already leaning towards the idea of ​​non-linear work and with good reason: according to a recent study, 37% of European workers be willing to turn down a job if no flexible hours are offered, and just over two-thirds (69%) would accept a pay cut in exchange for flexible hours.

Looking for real flexibility when it comes to work-life balance? Discover three jobs that offer flexible hours below.

Database DevOps Engineer, Salesforce, Dublin

Salesforce is the global leader in customer relationship management (CRM) software and has pioneered the shift to cloud computing. It also offers its employees flexible work locations with a mention on the Company website that in our “always connected world, it no longer makes sense to expect employees to work an eight-hour shift and do their jobs successfully.”

Salesforce Dublin is hiring a Database DevOps Engineer with a strong database and public cloud background to work with a team responsible for the architecture, design, development and testing of next-generation relational database management systems (RDBMS ). Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering, a cloud certification, and experience with related cloud technologies. View the full job description here.

Data Engineer – Python, HUMAN CAPiTAL, Amsterdam

HUMAN CAPiTAL is recruiting a Data Engineer – Python for a client in Amsterdam who specializes in creating software used by healthcare facilities that helps medical staff calculate and reduce the risk of post-operative infections. In this role you maintain and improve the internal data warehouse and create data streams to support the work of the data scientists. You create and maintain ETL components, create tests to automate data integrity checks, troubleshoot data availability and integrity issues, and manage and monitor data collection procedures.

In addition to the option of remote or hybrid working models, this role also offers flexible working hours. You will need a bachelor’s degree, preferably in computer science, proficiency with Python and SQL along with knowledge of Linux, and excellent written and spoken English. Submit your application here.

Azure Operations Specialist, Rencore, Munich or remotely

Working alongside the rest of the IT operations team, the Azure Operations Specialist is tasked with managing Rencore’s cloud infrastructure by planning and deploying ongoing cloud systems while maintaining a security and improvement perspective that aligns with the architecture requirements of the product team and the wider business plans. The ideal candidate will have experience building and maintaining Microsoft Azure cloud platforms and technology solutions. Experience with PowerShell is an advantage. You also get the choice to work from Munich or remotely with flexible working hours. View more details here.

Check out the House of Talent Job Board today for more opportunities across Europe