Can 4-Day Work Weeks Work?

Have you heard of the 4 Day Week Global? It's a group dedicated to changing the way the workplace is run. They have just finished an amazingly wide trial with several large companies to commit to a 4-day work week. The sample companies are from the US and Ireland, and a few other countries; it lasted for 6 months for over 33 companies, employing over 900 people.

And the results are in.

It's a roaring positive! Where 27 out of the 33 companies consider the change permanent, no loss of production was recorded, and surveyed employees gave the trial nothing but praise.

It appears that even our workplace has been influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, and workers now want more flexibility in their hours. Work today is done differently than 50 or even 10 years ago. Our tools and skills have progressed so that work can be done in less time.

Here are a few of the results:

1. Increase in revenue. This result shows that people have become more productive even with less time. Over an 8% increase.

2. Lower absences. Even with fewer days to work, absenteeism became less.

3. Less burnout. After the trial, 67% of the employees said they were less burned out. This is also reflected in their work satisfaction, mental health, and well-being as well as physical health. People had more time to exercise.

4. Better Work-life balance. Employees said that during the trial, they were able to have a better life outside of work. A number were able to get hobbies, finish chores, and administer care to their family because of the extra day.

5. Carbon footprint. We can't deny that a shorter work week means fewer commutes, fewer cars, and less carbon footprint.

It looks good at this point after the surveys have come in and the study is being tested next over other countries. But could there be dangers when the working world does choose to move to a 4-day work week?

1. The chance for reduced pay. Employees may see a reduction in their overall pay if they are working fewer days, even if they are working longer hours on those days.

2. Increased workload. Employees may have to work harder during their 4-day shits to make up for the lost work day.

3. Decreased availability. A four-day workweek may make it more difficult for employees to be available for clients or customers, as they will have one less day per week to work.

4. Difficulty finding coverage. Employers may have difficulty finding coverage for the one day per week that their employees are not working, which can lead to additional costs or disruptions in service.

Overall, the four-day workweek can have both advantages and disadvantages for both employees and employers. What we cannot deny is that the workplace has changed and that companies have to change along with it, not just in the schedule but also in culture. If yours needs help, DCC's Organizational Development program is more than capable of instilling lasting positive changes in your company's culture. Let me tell you more about it. Please email us at [email protected].

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