The Case For and Against the Four-Day Workweek: What’s the Reality?

The Case For and Against the Four-Day Workweek: What’s the Reality?

The four-day workweek is a hot topic, with recent headlines showcasing both its promise and its challenges:

  • “Public sector’s biggest four-day workweek trial a win-win-win”
  • “Less stress, more energy – what four-day weeks are really like”
  • “Four-day week critical for a happy life, civil servants say”
  • “It’s not the 1970s – minister rules out four-day week for civil servants”

Supporters tout it as a transformative change for both workers and businesses, while critics

argue it could create significant problems.

Mixed Views on the Four-Day Week

A LinkedIn survey we conducted asked: “Should businesses implement a four-day workweek, even if it means reduced pay?” A majority (66%) rejected the reduced pay option, though 30% were open to it. Many comments supported the idea of working fewer days, as long as income remained stable. This reflects a growing desire for better work-life balance, tempered by concerns about financial security.

While some organisations have embraced the concept successfully, others—especially in sectors like public services and customer support—face substantial hurdles. The idea may sound appealing, but its practical implications need careful consideration.

Why a Four-Day Week Sounds Great

  1. Better Work-Life Balance Shorter workweeks can reduce stress and improve mental health. In a UK trial with 61 companies, 40% of employees reported less stress, and burnout rates dropped by 71%. Employees valued the extra time for family, hobbies, and personal growth, highlighting a shift toward prioritising life outside work.
  2. Boosting Productivity Less can be more. The same UK trial showed a 1.4% increase in revenue, proving that fewer hours don’t necessarily mean lower output. Workers with more rest often perform better, making the four-day week a potential driver of innovation and focus.
  3. Attracting and Retaining Talent South Cambridgeshire District Council saw job applications rise by 53% and staff turnover drop by nearly 40% during their trial. As workers seek better work-life balance, businesses offering shorter weeks may gain a competitive edge in recruitment.
  4. Environmental Benefits Fewer commuting days mean less traffic, reduced emissions, and more time at home. A 10% cut in commuting time during the UK trial underscores how the four-day week could ease pressure on infrastructure while promoting sustainability.

The Downsides to Consider

  1. Challenges for 24/7 Services Public services like healthcare and emergency response require constant availability. Shortening the workweek without compromising service levels could mean hiring more staff, which increases costs.
  2. Risk of Burnout Compressing a five-day workload into four longer days might leave employees feeling more drained, counteracting the intended benefits of improved well-being.
  3. Customer Expectations In customer service, quick and reliable responses are crucial. A reduced schedule might lead to delays, risking customer dissatisfaction and lost revenue.
  4. Cost of Implementation Transitioning to a four-day week may involve significant costs, such as restructuring operations, investing in technology, or hiring more staff. Smaller businesses may struggle to absorb these expenses.

Why Some Oppose the Four-Day Week

Critics highlight several potential drawbacks that could outweigh the benefits:

  • Economic Strain on Businesses Many fear reduced hours could harm productivity in industries where output depends on time worked. SMEs, in particular, may struggle to afford the costs of restructuring or hiring additional staff.
  • Global Competitiveness If other countries stick to traditional schedules, UK businesses may fall behind, unable to match their responsiveness or output.
  • Inequality Risks Not all workers would benefit equally. White-collar roles may adapt easily, but manual labourers, retail staff, and low-wage employees might not have the same flexibility, creating a divide in the workforce.
  • Cultural Resistance Long hours remain a badge of honour in some industries, making a shift to fewer days difficult. Critics also argue that focusing on shorter weeks may distract from improving wages and conditions for all workers.

Practicalities in the Public Sector

The public sector faces unique challenges. Services like social care and rubbish collection can’t simply “shut down” for an extra day.

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s four-day week trial saw better staff well-being and service delivery. However, Labour Minister Emma Reynolds rejected the idea for civil servants, suggesting flexible and part-time options instead.

Unions counter that a shorter workweek could save money by reducing sick days and staff turnover while allowing employees more time for family and education, reshaping work-life priorities.

What About Customer Service?

Customer service demands consistent availability, making a four-day week challenging. Solutions include staggered shifts, flexible schedules, and AI-powered tools to handle customer queries outside working hours.

However, businesses like Asda found the approach unsustainable due to staff fatigue. This highlights the difficulty of balancing worker well-being with service expectations.

Working Less, Living More

The push for a four-day week reflects a broader societal shift towards valuing life outside work. Many workers now prioritise time for family, hobbies, and personal development over traditional career structures.

A widespread shift could foster tighter communities, healthier lifestyles, and a more engaged workforce. However, this vision depends on maintaining financial stability and addressing concerns like inequality and cultural resistance.

Final Thoughts

The four-day workweek offers exciting possibilities, from happier employees to environmental benefits. Yet, it’s not a universal solution. Public services and customer-facing industries face significant challenges, and critics highlight economic and social risks.

For businesses, employees, and policymakers, the challenge lies in finding a balance that delivers on the promise of better work-life balance without compromising productivity or service quality. While the debate continues, the four-day week represents a growing call to redefine how we work and live in the 21st century.

For more top tips and ideas we invite you to join our FREE 30 minute training video designed to ensure you and your teams continue to deliver remarkable customer service.? Just click on the link in the comments below.

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Dallas Alford, CPA

I Teach Accounting & Finance Professionals How to Start A CFO Firm with Seven Figure Potential | Training for Existing Firms on How to Offer CFO Advisory Services |

1 周

Exploring how training transforms individuals and organizations is always inspiring. Continuous learning is the foundation for growth and success. Great perspective, Marie Cross!

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Jason Osborn

FREE LinkedIn Mini-Course (Link Below) | Showing You How To Generate High-Quality Leads On LinkedIn The Right Way Without Being Spammy Or Paying For Ads | LinkedIn Trainer | LinkedIn Profile | Lead Generation

1 周

Such an insightful and balanced perspective on the four-day workweek! It’s clear that while there are many benefits, careful consideration is needed to make it work for all industries.

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Lesley Strachan

I help students & professionals to find purpose & direction in life with proven coaching programs that actually work. Award winning lecturer| Author| Jack Canfield Certified Trainer-Success Principles Life Coach| Speaker

1 周

Most people I know have to work harder to do the work to get the time off.

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彭子宸 Anne Phey

Strategic Advisor & Speaker | Top Leadership Voice | Amazon #1 Author | 50+ Awards - Innovation Leader, Asia Woman Leader | Ex-C-Suite IBM MTV Asia | Top Executive Coaching Company with Training & ICF Coach Certification

1 周

This probably applies only to those roles that can be done off site. Recently I encountered clients who shared that their work requires on site, and having the off site guys apparently not turning up does impact their morale. This could be a consideration for industries that have these challenges Marie Cross

Peter Boolkah

Business Coach. Scaling Up Master Coach. Founder of VisibilitySEO. Keynote Speaker. Business Sale Specialist.

1 周

This is actually a massive topic that definitely should get more attention, Marie Cross. It's clear there are both exciting opportunities and important challenges to consider. Ultimately, finding the right work-life balance whilst maintaining productivity might not look the same to everyone, but it is important to be open to a conversation.

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