The Pros and Cons of a 4 Day Working Week

Have you heard about the most recent workplace gossip? Have you gathered around the water cooler and heard about it? Well the rumours may be true,That a four day work week might soon be an actuality.

Now, you're probably asking how this kind of scenario is feasible. Why would business owners let their employees work four days per week? What happens to the business because of this??

Thank your new robot colleagues. Technological advances can allow employees to do similar tasks in a shorter time and ensure that clients are well-served.

AI technology is set to alter the entire sector in all countries fundamentally and how and when we work. For example, we'll likely be seeing more remote work and more flexible schedules for work, such as the four-day work week.

?Four days of work increase employee satisfaction, commitment to the company, and teamwork, reducing stress levels. In addition, reducing the employees' work schedules to a 4-day week does not affect their company's productivity or output.

What is a typical 4 Day Work Week?

You might already have a friend or acquaintance who works in a compressed schedule and is full-time for 35 hours in four days. However, a four-day work week isn't a compressed schedule, but it is reduced hours. Therefore, an employee could have to work for around 28 hours over four days and enjoy three days off on the weekend.

?A week of work that is four days could seem like a radical concept, but we've slowly decreased the amount of time employed in a typical week since the latter part of the 19th century. In 1890, the United States government estimated that an employee is working full-time in manufacturing plants employed on average 100 hours per week. In the late 20th century, workers in manufacturing were working just 40 hours per week. So the current work schedule of just 28 hours isn't as radical.

?What are the advantages of a Four Day Working Week?

?A four-day work week is not a new idea, primarily because of recent advances in technology. Some businesses are already testing the concept with positive outcomes for employees and employers.

?Improved Productivity

A thorough examination of the connection between productivity and work carried out by Sanford University revealed a clear connection. Overworked employees are less productive than those who work in an average working week.

An Equal Workplace

A huge portion of the population is without a job due to the current working schedule. Therefore, a four-day work week allows them to work productively.

More Engaged Employees

A week of four days could lead to more engaged and happy employees. However, the employees are more likely to feel stressed or take sick time as they are given plenty of time to relax and recuperate. In the end, they can return to work confident and ready for new tasks.

A Less Carbon Footprint

Countries with shorter working hours generally have a smaller carbon footprint, so reducing our working week from 5 days to 4 days might benefit the environment. In addition, the shorter working hours mean employees don't have to travel as far, and huge offices are used only every day.

Advantages of a 4- Day Week of Work Week?

Although there are benefits of a 4-day week of work, there are also certain negatives. The previously mentioned studies, such as that with Swedish nurses, concluded that the plan was not cost-effective. In addition, implementing a work schedule that is four days long isn't easy because it requires technology, support and culture. Invariably, any new change can be a challenge and has drawbacks.

?Customers Satisfaction

?It was the Utah research that yielded incredible environmental results in addition to benefits for employees, and employers ended up closing because of poor customer service. Customers complained that they could not access services offered by the government since offices were closed on Fridays.

The use of technology, such as chatbots or AI-powered websites, could help solve problems with customer satisfaction because it gives customers a different way to get support, rather than relying on office staff.

The Wrong Method?

Many people confuse the idea of a four-day work week by comparing it to a shorter schedule. As a result, the employees who must be working for 35 hours but over 4 days will be less productive.?

This can affect employees' motivation in their work-life balance and general satisfaction. Therefore, the work week of four days should comprise standard 7-hour days of work to achieve the desired outcomes.?

The Final Words of Advice: Do You Choose to Adopt the 4-Day Work Week? Day Working Week?

Although we're not yet at this point, we'll soon see the day when technology, especially AI, can surpass the capabilities of humans. Then we'll need to make crucial choices regarding the future of work and the best way to safeguard and enhance human workers' well-being.?

For example, a four-day work week is a viable option because technology will enable businesses to continue running as normal. As a result, humans could still enjoy productive careers with a better life-work balance.

Facts Source: Change Recruitment Group