The 4 day workweek
The workplace is becoming increasingly remote, and the traditional office 9-5 is becoming obsolete. In the past few years, people have been toying with the idea of a 4-day workweek.
The movement began in New Zealand in 2018 with a company named Perpetual Guardian, who found that after trialling the 4-day workweek, productivity increased and employees became happier.
Since then, the notion of having a 4-day workweek has gained traction all over the world. The revolution has made its way to the US; most notably to the tech giant, Bolt, who really have brought the idea of a 4-day workweek to the masses.
Is this revolution a sign that the world has gone mad? Or has the 4-day workweek been an ingenious idea overlooked for decades? I’d like to explore the benefits and the potential drawbacks below, to help companies decide whether adopting the 4-day workweek is right for them.
Advantages of a 4-day workweek
#1: Employee welfare
Introducing a 4-day workweek can have a wide range of benefits for employees. Case studies indicate staff are happier and less stressed when working 4 days per week. Employees are enjoying 3 day weekends, to spend time with family, have fun or just relax. Consequently, people are much happier and less stressed at work.
#2: Attracting the top talent
As the 4-day workweek becomes mainstream, top talent will essentially have the choice to work for either a 4-day or 5-day company. If you as an employer stay with the traditional system, you may lose out on some of the best employees as they opt for a better work-life balance.
#3: Better employer-employee relationships
In cases where companies are adopting the 4-day workweek, we are discovering that employees are far more content in their jobs and have more respect for their employers. Choosing a 4-day workweek for your company means you are putting your workers first, and this does not go unnoticed.
#4. Increased productivity
Whether a company truly cares about their employees or not, they can’t overlook the fact that allowing them a 4-day workweek has been shown to increase their overall productivity. With one fewer day to work, and one extra day to recover, it’s no wonder staff can get more done in less time. This is perhaps the greatest reason for companies to adopt this new style of work.
Disadvantages of a 4-day workweek
#1: Scheduling difficulties
One issue that may arise with the 4-day workweek is problems arranging meetings or interviews. Syncing up is becoming increasingly tricky with the remote nature of modern workplaces, so having one less day to arrange meetings/interviews may cause deadlines to be pushed back.
#2: Client/Customer service issues
If your customers or clients have a problem and wish to contact you, they may find it more difficult as there is one less day to connect with you. This could no doubt cause frustration as their problems are taking longer to be dealt with.
#3: Longer workday
Many of the companies at the forefront of the 4-day revolution are opting for a 32-hour workweek instead of the standard 40. However, other companies are choosing to cram 40 hours into just 4 days. This can negate some of the benefits of the 4-day workweek, and may only increase burnout and stress for employees. The overall effect may mean productivity is actually reduced.
#4: Increased wages
Companies who adopt the 4-day week are inclined to pay their employees the same amount for fewer hours. This is a gamble for them, as they cannot be sure that productivity will increase. If productivity does in fact decrease, then the gamble is lost and the company will not benefit.
Conclusion
The 4-day workweek has caught the eye of many. For employees, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. People have the opportunity to get paid the same, work fewer hours, have a 3-day weekend, and become happier in the process. If you’re an employee, it’s a rather straightforward decision when choosing between the 4- or 5-day workweek.
For employers, however, it is a tricky dilemma, and there is a lot to consider. Your staff may be more happy, productive and hard working under the 4-day workweek, but it does come with its own problems. Only being in the office 4 days out of 7 may cause difficulties in terms of scheduling meetings, liaising with clients, or solving customer issues. The decision will come to a few factors, including what industry you’re in, your employee’s wants and needs the overall effect the change will have on productivity.
As this movement gains traction, it will be more and more difficult to ignore for employees. This notion has been trialled in many workplaces in the past few years and has shown great results. The 4-day workweek is not one-size-fits-all, and companies should be encouraged to trial it to see if it works for them. As of now, the results speak for themselves, and this movement could become the norm in years to come.
