The goal of an employed person is to meet their duties timely and leave the office on time whereas for self-employment, the goal is creating their own work schedule, working towards their own dreams and to finish a bunch of projects in a short time. This often leads to working overtime, only resting when the body is demanding.

Several employers have also made some employees work overtime, opposite to what is on the contract and this may lead to several urn outs. The Government of Rwanda has strictly adjusted the working hours, official working hours being from 9:00am to 5:00pm,(excluding a one-hour lunch break), and including a flexible hour between 8:00am and 9:00am, where an employee may work remotely.

Entrepreneurs, employees, employers and career builders express different thought about the adjustments

Abraham Makinde, ICT expert

I think it’s a good move, it will be in line with many developed countries. Contrary to what some people on Twitter are saying that it will make people lazier, I think this will actually improve productivity. For example, the Scandinavian countries (mostly Finland) have been testing a four working day per week and six hours a day work format and it’s shown tremendous results.

People get to have a very good work life balance and also indirectly feel refreshed when they come to work. For the Rwandan context, I don’t think foreigners like me will be able to tell the difference as we are used to the 9am to 5pm format, so I think even the locals will adjust with time.

Generally, I think this is a positive move and will help young families mostly with kids. Remember Rwanda has a majority of young people in the work force and this will indirectly help boost their work-life balance

I think one challenge in Rwanda is the acceptance of changes contrary to the norm Rwandans are used to but will employers prefer to have a burnt out work force or employees with increased productivity due to a new work life balance? I think it’s a win-win situation for any employer who is able to adjust quickly and ensure their staff’s mental health is taken care of too.

Felix Tuyishime, Cinematologist

Because I work overtime, I believe extra time work gives a better outcome. We are still a country under development; working for many hours advances a career by proving that you are reliable and motivated in your role and you are able to get more money and extra, you create more opportunities for more promotion and better productivity for the company. We haven’t yet developed to a good level to reduce the number of working that can be applicable in few years to come.

Bright Karera, Communications Officer

Well, decreasing working hours will have a positive impact on employee’s productivity. In fact this will reduce the time wasted by employees in speculation or other unproductive things related or not related to the work.

However, people will be more focused and have a sense of priority and work hard so as to hit their goals on time which will seem to be not enough compared to the amount of the activities they have to deliver in the specified time.

As I mentioned, time wastage in unnecessary activities or less prioritized activities will be reduced and focus on those services that add value. In my view, quality of services will of course be increased by some percentage because people will be accorded hours to deliver their expectations in less time. Therefore, they will eventually reduce the time on things that can jeopardize the work and give their best to those in need of them.

Marie Ishimwe, Lawyer

This will make people learn the value of time and will utilise it effectively. For example, several employees working with the government live away from the city and they will need to wake up too early (5pm) to deal with the public transport and reach work on time (7am). Some are always exhausted and experience burn out.

The adjusted hours will first of all allow employees to be serious with time management. There will be zeal and fast working related to the fact that the employee thinks he or she has a few hours of performance than usual, thus concentration on work.

With early working hours, employees leaving far from work had to start moving from home to work as early as 5 am in order to arrive at 7 am. This could influence fatigue and poor performance at work. I believe the new working hours will also allow employees to spend time with their families, especially children.

Geofrey Kamali, Entrepreneur

Of course it’s a win for employees. They now have a better bargain. I know a friend who works till 9pm every day and gets the same pay. It’s not fair.

On the other hand, it will affect productivity in some ways. Employers will perhaps have to employ more workers to work in shifts after work hours. The downside of this is that employers will seek to automate production or deploy robots and cut down on workers. Imagine robots serving in restaurants.

Fanny Uwamahoro, Accountant

When you have had enough rest, you are less likely to get stressed and burn out and you are more productive. And you will also be safe with work, knowing that you have met all the responsibilities back at home. This will improve the relationships in families, we shall be able to raise healthy families and build our careers better.