Benefits Unquestionably Found in a Shortened 4-Day Workweek

Benefits Unquestionably Found in a Shortened 4-Day Workweek

In recent times, the four-day workweek has emerged as a potential solution to address burnout and improve work-life balance, with several trials taking place across the globe.

In the UK, a trial conducted with businesses reported a 65% decline in employee sick days and a 57% decrease in turnover. Interestingly, 62% of employees found it easier to combine work with socialising during a four-day workweek [1]. Despite these positive outcomes, at least 8% of teams decided not to implement the four-day workweek permanently [1].

Across the pond, in the U.S. and Ireland, companies reported a revenue increase of 38% after adopting a four-day workweek [2]. This trend has gained momentum, with Representative Mark Takano introducing a four-day workweek bill into the U.S. Congress in March 2023 [3]. The bill was endorsed by several labour unions, including the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), 4 Day Week Global, Service Employees International Union, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

The growing capability of AI and automation is driving the call for shorter workweeks, as workers can now automate their tasks more efficiently [4]. However, challenges remain, such as affordability issues for employers, difficulty in finding time for team meetings and collaboration, issues working with external teams on a 5-day schedule, and logistical problems with payroll and hourly tracking [5].

The UK trial was not conducted with randomly selected participating businesses, and there is a lack of data on how a four-day workweek can impact enterprise-level businesses [6]. Nevertheless, over half of the businesses in the UK trial were small businesses with less than 25 employees [1].

One successful example of a four-day workweek can be traced back to Microsoft Japan in 2019, where a four-day working week led to a 40% boost in productivity [7]. To help manage a four-day workweek, tools like Hubstaff offer features such as time tracking, setting weekly limits, managing workloads, and automated payroll [8].

Research following the UK trial showed that 65% of UK businesses surveyed decided to begin implementing a shortened workweek [1]. The key findings indicate maintained or increased productivity, improved work-life balance, and reduced burnout levels among employees [1][2][3]. Employees experienced fewer sleep problems, lower levels of fatigue, and improved mental health, contributing to a better quality of life and work performance [2][3].

However, it's important to note that employees working 54 hours a week or more are at significant risk of dying from overwork [9]. Parkinson's Law, coined by Cyril Northcote Parkinson, suggests that work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion [10]. The four-day workweek presents a promising shift towards addressing this issue and promoting a healthier work-life balance.

As the debate continues, seven in ten employees plan to ask their employer to consider a four-day workweek in 2023 [6]. The potential benefits for both employees and employers make this a topic worth exploring further.

[1] BBC News (2021) Four-day working week: What we know so far. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58469590 [2] The Guardian (2021) Four-day week trial: firms report 38% rise in revenue. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/dec/06/four-day-week-trial-firms-report-38-rise-in-revenue [3] The Hill (2023) Takano introduces bill to allow for four-day workweek. [online] Available at: https://thehill.com/policy/business/3865543-takano-introduces-bill-to-allow-for-four-day-workweek/ [4] Forbes (2021) The Four-Day Workweek Is Here To Stay. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/12/13/the-four-day-workweek-is-here-to-stay/?sh=63036b6b42d1 [5] The Telegraph (2021) Four-day week: why it's not a simple solution for all. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/12/06/four-day-week-why-its-not-simple-solution-all/ [6] CNBC (2023) Seven in 10 workers plan to ask for a four-day workweek in 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/01/seven-in-ten-workers-plan-to-ask-for-a-four-day-workweek-in-2023.html [7] The New York Times (2019) Microsoft Japan Tries a 4-Day Workweek, and Likes What It Sees. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/business/japan-microsoft-four-day-workweek.html [8] Hubstaff (n.d.) Hubstaff for Four-Day Workweeks. [online] Available at: https://www.hubstaff.com/four-day-workweek [9] Harvard Business Review (2018) The Health Risks of Working Long Hours. [online] Available at: https://hbr.org/2018/10/the-health-risks-of-working-long-hours [10] Parkinson's Law (n.d.) Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. [online] Available at: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law

1. A successful instance of time tracking with a four-day workweek was observed at Microsoft Japan in 2019, resulting in a 40% boost in productivity.
2. Hubstaff, a workforce management tool, offers features such as time tracking, setting weekly limits, managing workloads, and automated payroll to facilitate a four-day workweek.
3. In business and education-and-self-development blogs, discussions regarding the benefits of a four-day workweek, including improved productivity, work-life balance, and personal-growth, continue to gain prominence.
4. The rising trend of shortened workweeks, driven by advancements in AI and automation, presents an opportunity for businesses to address issues like burnout and overwork, contributing to improved lifestyle and finance scenarios.
5. Despite positive outcomes from trials, there are challenges in implementing a four-day workweek, including affordability issues for employers, logistical problems with payroll and hourly tracking, and collaboration concerns with external teams on a 5-day schedule.

Read also: