Most US workers lack high-quality work schedules, study finds

About 62% of US employees do not have high-quality work schedules, while 27% work under conditions classified as low-quality, as found by a study of more than 18,000 US workers conducted by The American Job Quality Study. 

The survey further revealed that nearly one in four employees face unpredictable hours, a similar share experience unstable hours, and 41% report having little or no control over their schedules,

The burden of low-quality schedules was shown to fall more heavily on certain groups. Part-time workers reported them at a significantly higher rate (34%) than full-time employees (25%), yet they were also slightly more likely to report high-quality schedules.

Education level was also found to be closely tied to scheduling quality, with 31% of workers without a college degree reporting low-quality schedules, compared with 26% of those holding an associate degree and 22% with a bachelor’s degree.

Impact of Low-Quality Work Schedules on Employees

Employees with low-quality schedules were far more likely to report conflicts between their job and personal life, with 57% saying their work interfered with personal responsibilities, compared with 39% of those on high-quality schedules. 

Financial well-being was also tied to scheduling quality, as 38% of employees with low-quality schedules said they were struggling or just getting by, while the share fell to 23% among those with high-quality schedules. 

For low-wage employees, even small reductions in hours, such as a decrease from 40 to 38 per week, were described as creating significant financial strain by the study.

Impact on Businesses

Research has linked unpredictable and unstable schedules to higher turnover and absenteeism, increasing costs for employers. 

By contrast, companies that implemented more stable scheduling practices were shown to reduce labor costs and, in some cases, increase sales, particularly in the retail sector.

Related Content:

6 Ways to Better Manage a Hybrid Work Environment

Pros and Cons of Employee Monitoring

A Guide to Employee Monitoring in the US

Employee Monitoring Evasion Tactics in the Age of Remote Work