COVID has created a world of uncertainty and in the current climate, many people have been left feeling overwhelmed with their job roles as they try to recover from the effects of pandemic in the workplace. As the introduction of remote working has been proven to be extremely popular across the nation, it has allowed for people to become more relaxed in their roles. The flexibility and freedom that remote working has generated has definitely contributed to the influx of people demanding a four-day week. Though not a new concept, the four-day week has never actually been actioned. However, as 40hr+ work weeks are becoming increasingly old-fashioned, will four be the new five?
Coming into practice
According to a research study from Henley Business School, it was revealed that two thirds of UK business operating on a four-day week saw improvements in staff productivity, and the implementation of this has already saved the businesses approximately £92 billion annually. Among those who participated in the four-day work week, it was reported that 67% of Gen Z expressed that it would be a contributing factor when choosing a place to work.
Other countries have also participated running shorter working week trials including Iceland, Spain, and New Zealand. In Iceland particularly, 1% of the working population (2,500 workers) participated in the trials run by Reykjavík City Council and it was reported that they felt less stressed and the overall work-home life balance had improved.
New Zealand-based financial services company, Perpetual Guardian ran a pilot study in 2018 and allowed all of it’s 240 cohort of employees to work a four-day week without reducing pay. They discovered that many employees were able to spend their extra free time pursuing hobbies, whilst the rest enjoyed the opportunity to see their families more often. The company concluded that there was a 20% rise in productivity and increased profits as a result of the study.
Pros
As highlighted in the results of the studies outlined, many benefits were found to be in response to the four-day week. For workers, an increase in productivity is a key factor in companies adopting a shorter week as stress levels are significantly reduced and therefore, concentration increased. This also demonstrates the positive impact on mental health that working fewer days can have. According to a study conducted by mental health charity Mind, one in five people agreed that they have called in sick to avoid work when experiencing a mental health-related problem.
An equal workplace would also be enhanced as the gendered gap in available working hours would be closed. It has been said that the number of childcare-related absences from work are predominantly from women as many companies unfortunately lack flexible policies surrounding the matter. A four-day work week would therefore provide both men and women with the ability to work around their children and furthermore spend more time with them.
From an employer perspective, there are clear financial benefits to a shorter work week. Among these are the reduction in overhead and other general costs to the business. Rent, electricity usage, office supplies, and catering services would all be lessened (if offices remained open), which would save employers a huge amount of money.
General engagement with staff would be improved as team members would have more freedom and flexibility. Rather than taking sick leave when they are feeling stressed, they have plenty of time to rest and enjoy an extra day to themselves. In addition, offering the benefit of working fewer hours to staff is bound to ensure they stay motivated throughout the week which will in turn retain the best talent as they are unlikely to search elsewhere for job satisfaction.
Aside from affecting people, a reduced work week could also see a positive impact on the environment. As employees would be commuting less, this would promote a smaller carbon footprint.
Cons
Despite there being many benefits to a shorter work week, some businesses just cannot operate on such a reduced basis. For example, call centres providing 24-hour services would not be able to be online if there is not a 24/7 retention of staff. Moreover, many customer service-centric roles whose focus are responding to queries could struggle with less staff available to work. A study conducted in Utah which showed businesses operating from Monday to Thursday highlighted that although there were significant environmental results, customers did not take to it so well. They complained that they were unable to access government services with offices closed on a Friday.
Another disadvantage is that it is extreme risky and expensive to suddenly implement such a drastic change and could have long-lasting ramifications on businesses as a whole. Not only would employers have to adjust to it, but their team would too, and the implementation process could be seemingly long. In order to achieve a successful shorter working week, it requires the right support, technology, and workplace culture.
Overall, a four-day work week has been proven to have more advantages than disadvantages and, given the appropriate technology and a positive team culture, it can establish a new working dynamic that will benefit everyone.