As working remotely becomes common in our work culture, it’s allowed employees flexibility in their approach to the workday/night. As a result, the one-size-fits-all approach to employee productivity is a thing of the past. Enter Night Owl employees, those employees who become more productive when the sun goes down.
Recognizing the value of accommodating these employees’ preferred working times can be beneficial for both the employee and the Company. Here are five ways Night Owl employees may surprise you.
Working at night is Biological for Night Owl Employees
Biological Prime Time (BPT) is a term first coined by Sam Carpenter in the book Work the System. This term suggests identifying the most productive hours in your day. Doing so and scheduling accordingly can significantly impact your level of performance while completing tasks. According to a study by RUDN University, “The physiological functions of our bodies are subject to diurnal rhythms. It means that a person can be more or less active and efficient depending on the time of the day.” Therefore, biologically speaking, Night Owl employees are predisposed to work much more efficiently during the evening.
Night Owls can be more creative than their morning counterparts
A study published in the journal of personality and individual differences found that when completing an activity based on originality, elaboration, fluidity, and flexibility factors, evening types score higher on each test than morning and intermediate-type people. Due to Night Owls’ non-conventional approach, they are much more prone to being creative. “Being in a situation which diverges from conventional habit, nocturnal types often experience this situation, may encourage the development of a non-conventional spirit and of the ability to find alternative and original solutions,” says Professor Marina Giampietro, the lead author in the study mentioned above.
Night Owls Physically Perform Better In The Evening
Night Owl employees working in positions requiring physical activity are at an advantage if they work in the evenings. According to a study done in the journal of biological rhythms, “Differences in cortical excitability and performance of a motor task between morning and evening people have implications for maximizing human performance and highlight the influence of chronotype on an individual’s diurnal rhythms.” Therefore, giving Night Owls the freedom to work in the evening can significantly improve performance.
Night Owls Score Higher In Intelligence Tests
Night Owls are also likely to have higher intelligence in some respects than those who favor working in the morning. Understanding this difference is vital in maximizing the efficiency of your employees. A Study done by the Institute for Mind and Body shows that Night Owls score higher than early-morning people on different measures of cognitive ability and academic achievement. Night Owl employees access this advantage by performing their job duties during peak functional hours.
Ways to help nurture and manage Night Owl Employees
Now that we have a better understanding of what makes Night Owl Employees tick, how can we apply this information in the real world? The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recommends providing scheduling flexibility, requiring check-in meetings, using the right tools, and setting clear expectations. Rewarding Night Owl workers is also another way to encourage their work performance. Using these strategies in combination will help significantly improve the effectiveness of managing night owl employees.
While the average person is used to functioning during the day, a notable percentage of people are more productive at night. To better understand how to motivate and inspire this group of individuals, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with their specific needs. With this knowledge, you can create a work environment that taps into their productivity while also considering their personal preferences. Do you know of any Night Owl Employees? How have you tried to accommodate their working style?
