The Mental Health Benefits of Flexible Work Arrangements
How a 4-Day Work Week Can Boost Mental Health?
The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly had an impact on work schedules and the way that work is viewed in the United States. During the pandemic, many non-essential businesses and organizations transitioned to remote work, and we learned that much of what we do in an office can be accomplished from home. As the world has shifted back to its pre-pandemic norm, some employers are maintaining flexible and/or remote work schedules. One form of scheduling flexibility that has come to the forefront is the 4-day work week, and it may have benefits for mental health.?
The Background on the Four-Day Work Week
You might have heard about European countries adopting a four-day work week, but in 2023, this schedule is becoming a reality in the United States. Beginning in 2022, an advocacy group called 4 Day Week Global launched a pilot project to assess the effects of a 32-hour, 4-day work week in companies and nonprofits. To participate, workplaces ran a 6-month trial of 4-day work weeks, without reducing employee pay.?
The majority of workplaces participating in the pilot project were located in the United States and Ireland, but some employees from Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia were included in the pilot study. On a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being very negative and 10 being very positive, companies rated the 4-day work week experience at a 9 out of 10, on average.
Other findings from the pilot were as follows:
Responses to the Pilot Project in the U.S.?
The effects of the pilot through 4-Day Week Global have been so profound that U.S. lawmakers are taking action. Congressman Mark Takano of California has introduced the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, which, if passed, would reduce the definition of a full-time work week to 32 hours, by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. The amendment would reduce the overtime threshold from 40 to 32 hours per week, affecting mostly hourly workers.?
The aim of this proposed act is to improve work-life balance, reduce the harmful effects of overworking, and allow employees to dedicate more time to themselves and their families. With the introduction of this new law, it’s likely that more and more companies will be exploring the benefits of the 4-day work week, and other flexible work arrangements, such as allowing employees to work from home or maintain hybrid work schedules.?
Additional Research on the Four-Day Work Week
The pilot project from 4-Day Week Global showed promising results, which suggests that this schedule can be beneficial for psychological well-being among workers. Fortunately, this is not the only research supporting the benefits of the 4-day work week. Research in Iceland has found that the 4-day work week, without a reduction in pay, improves employee well-being and productivity. Given the benefits of the 4-day work week, governments in both Spain and Scotland are exploring options to make this work week the standard.?
When employees are interviewed about the benefits of working just 4 days per week, they report the following:
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The Mental Health Benefits of Flexible Work Arrangements
Granting employees an extra day off from work ultimately improves work-life balance, because workers have a third day off to tend to other important matters in life. An extra day off leaves plenty of time for exercise, tending to household duties, scheduling appointments, and taking time to relax.
This sort of scheduling?flexibility comes with mental health benefits. A review of the research has found the following to be true:?
With less time at work and more time to tend to family and personal matters, workers are likely to find themselves with more free time, and consequently, less stress. They’ll also have more time to care for their families, engage in hobbies, and develop interests outside of work. Ultimately, this leads to reduced distress and better mental health.?
As employers make an effort to increase employee wellbeing, the 4-day work week is worth considering. This flexible work engagement gives employees more time to care for themselves outside of work, so when they are at work, they can be physically and mentally present, and give full effort to their job duties.
Pulse TMS provides services in the Los Angeles area. If you or someone you’re working with is struggling with treatment-resistant depression, we may be able to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services, including who is a candidate for TMS.?
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