It is wrongly perceived that a 24/7 economy implies that individuals will be working continuously for 24 hours. This is not the case at all. A 24/7 economic model implies that it is the country’s economic activities which are operational 24 hours a day while employees will definitely maintain the standard 35-hour or 40-hour working week, unless there are specific agreements with their employers.

How can the economy remain operational 24 hours if the employees are not required to work more?

A 24/7 economy is intrinsically linked with the adoption of what is known as Alternative Work Practices. In order to allow businesses to function 24 hours while employees maintain their standard 35-hour or 40-hour work week, employees will be required to work differently! Indeed, the days where employees needed to be at work from 9am-to-4pm under the watchful eyes of their managers are truly over. The widespread usage of state-of-the-art and innovative information technology (IT) and communication devices (e.g. information systems, emails, mobile phones, PDAs etc.) has made the traditional concept of the “stationary office workplace” obsolete for many jobs across various industries. With a 24/7 work culture, employers will increasingly be given the flexibility to work away from the office and differently. Some will telecommute, meet clients and close sales on the go, while others can work from home, on shift system or on flexible schedules.