The 32-8 Hour Work Week

Not long ago, I worked for a company that expected at least 38 billable hours plus administrative hours on top of that. If I did not meet expectations, my bonus was at risk despite being a strong employee. At 95% billability, all I was doing was struggling to clock hours. Don't get me wrong, in a consultancy, if employees are not billing, there is no revenue; I understand the need but not the method. It's not human, and in fact, it's hard to be human when you work like a machine.

The whole experience would leave me drained at the end of the day. The joy I used to find in doing work and things outside of work slowly faded, and all I had in mind was the job. It was a sad time for me, and I knew that I couldn't sustain this forever even though the paycheck was pretty good. Not only did I not like how it made me feel and what it took from life, but the research shows that productivity and quality drop off after 32 hours of work in a week. What's worse, how do you develop yourself and your spirit, when you are bleeding to make the hours? Simple: You don't.

So, I decided I would not run Dynamic Specialties Group in that way. Instead, I would build a company where people would enjoy working. What's more, the research was in my corner. Several research papers supported that employees were more productive with higher quality when they worked fewer hours. Mind-blowing! It seems like a no-brainer; employers, employees, and customers win with a well-rested team. And just like that, Dynamic Specialties Group went to a 32-hour workweek.

Like most great ideas, this one needed a little massaging. I did not factor in that hard workers are hard workers, and they look for work to do. So when given an extra day off, they instinctively look to fill it with work. That was the exact opposite of the outcome I wanted. And just like that, Dynamic Specialties Group went to a 32-8 hour workweek.

For 32 hours of the week, I expect my team to be engaged in customer delivery and internal work. Showing up early, giving the day their best work, and knowing they did the best job possible as the best version of themselves possible. For 8 hours a week, Friday, I expect them to devote time to personal enrichment and enlivenment. I want our employees to read a book, go for a hike, learn something new, spend time with their family, sleep in, have a Cup-o-Joe with a friend. ANYTHING BUT WORK!

They still have to attend the "Daily Huddle," and occasionally, we do have a meeting that they need to attend on Friday. But for the majority of the time, Friday is a day for the employee. A day to grow, to transition, and to recharge. Then, when they come back on Monday, they are energized, invigorated, and ready to engage! With time we will continue to work out the little details in this arrangement, but I genuinely believe that it will benefit the entire ecosystem in a way that I can be proud of.

Be well.