A Better Look Before Jumping on the Four-Day Workweek Train
A Productivity Booster or Productivity Killer?
A four-day weekend must be nice, right? The bank holidays burst our calendars with joy just like that.
But what if the most common norm was a three-day weekend. Would your business prosper, or would productivity suffer?
An additional day off would rejuvenate your team, and this may increase morale and creativity. However, a possible side effect is less productivity from some employees.
Would your business benefit from 72 hours off each week, or suffer reduced efficiency? This is a question worth investigating to strike a balance that suits the team and the organization as a whole.
The Concept of a Four-day Work
The way we operate and the concept of the traditional five day work week are becoming non-existent after many years of modern techniques which have brought about a change in the world. For example, the use of cloud HR software has led to an increase in efficiency.
In an age infused with factory activity, the idea of a week of five days was nurtured seeing that life there encompassed work, home, and repose. Nevertheless, we now inhabit a period characterized by white-collar duties coupled with superb technology, where it is no longer clear whether the more hours we put in lead to better results or not.
Remote work and flexible schedules have demonstrated that the amount of hours worked isn’t the only factor that determines how productive one is. The truth is the inflexible arrangement of the five-day week may impede rather than assist performance sometimes leading to inferior work-life balance.
With the continuous technological advancements, the standardized work week should be reconsidered. Everyone might work in a more efficient and satisfying way if they could strike a balance between maximizing performance and promoting the welfare of workers.
The Four-Day Work Trials
Iceland’s experimental test on a four-day workweek has shown extraordinary results. The trials, in which workers were paid the same amount for shorter hours, took place between 2015 and 2019. Productivity remained the same or improved in the majority of workplaces, researchers said.
Sixty-one organizations based in the United kingdom have conducted the largest global trial ever conducted on that particular issue for six months with an astonishing 89% opting for the continuation of such an arrangement.
A follow-up survey discovered that all managers and CEOS experienced a good or very good effect on their workers. 64% noticed that their team well-being became better with only 27% experiencing comparable turnover while just 45% held the opinion that their recruitment got worsened.
The success of the four-day week isn’t limited to Iceland and the UK. Microsoft’s Japan offices experienced a remarkable 40% increase in productivity during their trial. Similar positive outcomes have been reported in countries like New Zealand and Sweden.
Also, the long-term results of implementing a four-day workweek have shown sustained benefits beyond the initial trials. Companies that have adopted this approach report higher employee satisfaction, reduced burnout, and increased retention rates.
Moreover, the shift to a shorter workweek has been linked to improvements in work-life balance, mental health, and overall well-being. Employers also note a positive impact on recruitment efforts, as the four-day week is seen as an attractive perk for potential hires.
From a business perspective, the four-day week has been associated with higher levels of creativity and innovation, as employees have more time for rest and personal pursuits. This, in turn, can lead to increased competitiveness and adaptability in the marketplace.
Overall, the long-term results of the four-day week suggest that it is not just a temporary trend but a sustainable model that can benefit both employees and organizations in the long run.
How does it benefit your company?
How do you know if a four-day week is right for your business? Or how can one understand the benefits of this new law?
Reduced costs
Getting an extra day off a week would sustain everyone and aspects such as running costs would drop greatly. As well, they would be paying less for fuel and have their daily expenses on items like food and drinks slashed too.
Happier employees
Longer weekends give the workers more time to relax, pursue their hobbies, or just spend quality moments with the family. Recharging one’s batteries can be possible during the holiday, and it is a good way of reducing stress as well as improving the state of mind. Consequently, an employee’s satisfaction level usually increases when he/she has ample opportunities to engage in other life aspects besides just his/her career.
Fewer health issues
Researchers at the charity Mind say that 1 out of every 6 individuals may experience problems with their psychological well-being over seven-day periods. In terms of psychological health, extending a weekend would be of much aid.
Additionally, having an extra day off each week provides the opportunity for an additional lie-in, allowing people to rest and recharge after a busy week. This extra rest can have positive effects on mental health, helping individuals to feel more refreshed and ready to face the week ahead. Overall, a longer weekend has the potential to positively impact mental health by providing more time for relaxation, socializing, and self-care.
Pitfalls of Four Day Work Week System
We saw various advantages of the four-day work system. But rather than that, this also has two disadvantages.
A four-day week doesn’t suit every business model
Not every business is suitable for a four-day workweek model, even though it seems like an interesting option. Only firms that are ready to change how they operate ought to adopt this new system.
Since implementing such an outlandish model would be such a big leap, one should make sure that the introduction of a four-day week is in line with the business objectives, values, and function.
Longer hours and work-related stress
What this means is that workers who have a 4-day week must conduct a total of 40 hours weekly like their counterparts with 5 days a week even though spread out over 4 days. Consequently, the normal result of this is an increased amount of working hours per day, sometimes even up to 10 hours.
A four-day week does not necessarily mean fewer hours of work. There will be longer days and the pressure to pack more into them will grow. Increased stress could result from the extra efforts required to complete tasks on time each day. This would reduce efficiency at the workplace due to employee’s ill health or low energy levels caused by this pressure.
Employees in a new working week may find themselves forced to work hard to achieve the same levels of productivity, which could affect the four-day week’s goal of improving work-life balance. These probable disadvantages should be taken into account before deciding on the suitability of a four-day week for your organisation.
The Takeaway
Overall, a four-day working week concept is both an opportunity and a challenge to businesses.
Ultimately, the success of a four-day week depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the business, the needs of its employees, and its ability to maintain productivity and efficiency. By weighing these considerations thoughtfully, businesses can determine if a four-day week is a viable and beneficial option for their workforce.
