Ever since 1926, when Henry Ford shut down his seven-day auto factories for two days every week, the five-day work week has been the standard in North America.
But after 95 years, many modern workers are calling for the implementation of a four-day workweek and a three-day weekend.
This not only applies to large corporations and satellite teams but also to small business and solo professionals evaluating the best way for them to work.
So, the question now becomes the viability and practicality of this idea. Is it realistic? Or is it unreasonable?
Let’s look at the facts.
How Would a Four-Day Workweek Work?
The theory behind a four-day workweek is that people would still work their 40 hours each week but over four days rather than five. So, rather than five 8-hour days, they would work four 10-hour days per week.
The idea is that employees would get more personal time and, in turn, have better work-life balance and be more productive and engaged as a result.
But is it possible?
Iceland Has Seen Great Success with 4-Day Workweeks
Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland ran trials of a four-day work week among jobs like preschools, offices, social service providers, and hospitals.
Their trials found that:
- Productivity remained level or even improved, in the majority of workplaces
- Workers were less stressed and burnout levels dropped
- Health and work-life balance improved
- People had more time to spend with their families, do hobbies, and do chores
The ultimate outcome? Unions have renegotiated working patterns, and 86% of the country’s workforce have either moved to shorter hours for the same pay or will soon gain the right to.
More Countries Are Following Suit
New Zealand and Spain have both now piloted four-day workweek trials, drawing inspiration from Iceland’s success.
In Spain, companies have been receptive to it in hopes that it will improve their bottom lines.
But how and why could shorter work hours ultimately result in stronger bottom lines in the long run?
The Stats Are Favorable
While it may seem counterintuitive that less working hours could mean more money, a number of stats back up the theory:
- Microsoft Japan saw productivity grow by 40%, electricity use down by 23%, and 92% of employees said they were happier
- Spain’s Software Delsor reported that absenteeism dropped by 28%, revenues have grown at the same rate as usual, and the company has not lost even one of its 189 employees since the plan went into effect
A four-day workweek could create better employee engagement, reduce turnover costs, minimize expenses, and even help create a smaller carbon footprint.
Technology and the Pandemic Have Impacted the Way We Work
The five-day, 9-to-5 workweek is based on industrial, agricultural economies from the 1940s. The world of work has completely changed since then.
According to English economist John Maynard Keynes, “The ever-increasing efficiency of industrialized societies should result in more leisure time for citizens. But we haven’t had a substantial reduction in working hours for decades. The world should learn from this.”
Technology has made it easier for people to achieve more in less time from anywhere in the world. And the COVID-19 pandemic meant that remote work has become much more common than ever before–and worked perfectly well.
The Challenges of a Four-Day Workweek
On the other hand, there are certain challenges that may accompany a four-day workweek, including:
- Reduced customer satisfaction: Simple and plain, if customers can only access the businesses they need to contact four days a week rather than five, it could present risks in terms of reduced customer satisfaction.
- Childcare challenges: Many daycares and after-school programs operate around the idea that parents work a 9-to-5 type of schedule, so they may not be open at the right hours to accommodate longer workdays.
- Monday workloads: Three days off means a lot of catch-up when you go back to work on Monday. It’s possible that this stress on employees could offset other benefits.
- Planning challenges: Fewer work days may present challenges in planning for the week.
Whether you’re a satellite team, an established business, or a solo professional, a four-day workweek looks to be the great debate for the coming years.
The facts seem to validate its merit, but there are undoubtedly challenges that come with it. It will certainly work for many and not work for many others.
So, the question becomes this: would you be happy with a four-day workweek? If so, will you be taking steps to move toward it?
The four-day workweek seems rooted around flexibility and work-life balance–two of the biggest things we value here at The Post. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help support you on both fronts, get in touch with us today. Our team is available to speak with you.