The 8-5 workday schedule as well as the stock market/financial markets were designed to accommodate men’s testosterone levels. Men are on a 24-hour hormone cycle while women are on a 28-day (give or take a few days) hormone cycle.
“In the 24-hour testosterone cycle experienced by men, the morning hours when men wake up have a spike of testosterone and cortisol. This causes an increase in energy, focus, productivity and communication. In the afternoon, testosterone levels drop. This puts men in the mood to socialize and connect with people. In the evening, testosterone levels diminish and estrogen levels are more prominent. This causes the desire to relax, lay down and quiet the mind. The 8-to-5 work grind fits these needs and feelings because it was designed for men.” - FHS Press Continue Reading
Women on the other hand are on a 28 day cycle +/- several days. “Female hormonal cycles have natural and predictable fluctuations that affect mood, energy and cognition. “Our bodies give us a master plan for producing life—as well as organizing our life”- says Dr Kecia Gaither, Director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, and a double board certified physician in Ob/Gyn and Maternal Fetal Medicine.” - Forbes Continue Reading
While a 8-5 workday once helped women and men set boundaries between work and home, today's modern office instead means most people are working more than ever. Cell Phones, Laptops, Smart Watches, AirPods make everyone accessible all of the time. Ten Years ago most companies were just starting to invest in cell phones for their employees and now everyone is accessible no matter where they are in the world or what time it is. Gone are the days of landlines and dialup internet to escape from work and because women are often tasked with more caregiving, they're juggling even more responsibilities at home and at work than ever before.
Work flexibility advocates say less rigid schedules and remote work set-ups are key to women's advancement in the workplace and bringing more workers back. By adopting a hybrid or remote work schedule you’re expanding your candidate pool by enormous amounts. Allowing employees to work with their bodies and not against them would add productivity in ways we have yet to understand. Further allowing employees to not have to choose between family and work yields even more happy and productive workers.
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