Is a Four Day Work Week Coming?

The discrepancy between demanding working weeks and restful weekends can feel unfair. For the modern employee, striking the desired work-life balance may be challenging.

What can be done to elicit realistic changes that enhance the lives of workers and stave off burnout?

We may find the solution in shorter work weeks. 

In this article, we explore how a four-day work week could benefit employees and businesses, all the while discussing their potential drawbacks. But the question is, just how far are we from implementing concrete change? Read on for more information.

Why Should We Revisit the 40-Hour Workweek?

Henry Ford, the pioneer of the first successful 40-hour workweek, famously said, 'The five-day workweek isn't the ultimate, and neither is eight hours.'

These powerful words have since transformed the working world, allowing people to pursue lives outside of work, nurture hobbies, and bond with their families.

While the 40-hour workweek was the bedrock of modern working, it no longer mirrors our tech-savvy, 21st-century lives. This is because five-day workweeks are out of sync with the rapidly evolving information age that shapes our modern work lives.

Throughout history, various events have consistently altered work patterns, with the pandemic being the most recent catalyst for workplace reform these days. Why? Because the pandemic and the shift to remote work may have changed people's perceptions and expectations of their jobs.

Consequently, many employers might need to consider 4 day work weeks to meet the demands of existing employees advocating for change. Furthermore, businesses should further explore improving work flexibility and working conditions to attract new talent.

What Would a 4 Day Work Week Look Like?

Some companies embracing four day work weeks employ the 100-80-100 model.

This approach is straightforward in practice: employees are expected to maintain 100% productivity for 80% of their time while continually receiving 100% or most of their agreed-upon salaries.

In other words, employees manage their previous workload and productivity levels over fewer hours - between 32 and 36 hours - without experiencing any significant pay cuts.

However, not without its downfalls, this model is subject to abuse and deliberate misinterpretation. Concerns might lie in businesses packing a 40 hour work week into four days, resulting in a potentially burned-out and unhappy workforce.

Which Countries Work Four Day Weeks?

Taking the lead, Iceland became the first country to adopt four day work weeks. Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland's Association for Sustainable Democracy (Alda) conducted the world's largest work experiment. This groundbreaking study involved 2,500 participants across multiple industries and aimed to establish a link between reduced working hours and improved productivity.

By and large, the trial yielded successful outcomes that led to long-term benefits like improved worker well-being, focus and high business performance.

Motivated by Iceland's success, other European countries, like Spain, have considered 4 day work weeks. Moreover, Belgium's multi-coalition government is taking impactful steps to improve the country's workplace conditions. Impressively, they've approved four-day workweeks in offices nationwide and enforced rules allowing employees to disconnect after hours without repercussions.

Turning our attention to the United Kingdom, Wales will launch their version of a trial in 2023, with Scotland considering something similar.

Across North America, a massive trial study involving approximately 38 companies is underway, which is expected to last several months.

Further south, ex-New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern has flagged the benefits of four-day weeks and advocates for greater flexible workplace freedoms.

Even Japan, a country notorious for overworking, is also reevaluating the impact of shorter workweeks. Microsoft Japan and Panasonic have already joined the trend, having pioneered their own four-day workweek setups.

What Are the Benefits of a Four Day Work Week?

Embracing a four-day workweek setup benefits companies and employees in the following ways.

1. Increased Productivity

It may seem contradictory to everything you think you know about work, but employees who work less might perform better.

But it does make sense since people are less likely to waste company resources and time when there are fewer hours in a workday.

Moreover, overworking might affect productivity negatively. Results from a Stanford University study, which examined the relationship between working hours and productivity, revealed a massive drop in productivity among workers who exceed 50 working hours. The takeaway is that a workaholic lifestyle doesn't pay. In addition, companies that expect people to work overtime don't reap the expected rewards.

Employees who burn the midnight oil only stand to gain sleep deprivation and an uptick in work errors. Similarly, our brains can't concentrate for eight consecutive hours, especially in the digital age, with online distractions vying for our attention.

2. A Happier Team

Being at the office a few hours less equates to a greater work-life balance and potentially happier employees. Work teams might also feel refreshed and equipped to handle the challenges of a new week after three days away from work.

3. Healthier Employees

Employees who aren't chronically overworked are less likely to get sick.

Simultaneously, not working overtime reduces risks of mental burnout, depression and exhaustion.

4. The Financial Incentives

Arguments supporting three day weekends are increased staff productivity, improved worker engagement, and an effective workforce. Additionally, there are Cost-saving incentives linked to short work weeks.

By closing shop one day earlier, businesses could save money by reducing their electricity usage and printing costs and curbing other operational charges.

The Case Against a Four Day Work Week

There are flaws of four day work weeks which every business should consider.

1. Reluctant Staff Members

Despite its overarching support, recognise that not everyone will embrace four day work weeks.

For staff members who carefully balance their workload across five workdays, cramming their work week into four days might not be unattainable or desirable.

Additionally, reducing hours might inadvertently lead to less time for breaks, socialising and fun if the focus is on being productive. It's essential to avoid sacrificing workplace culture while chasing ambitious weekly goals.

2. Not a One Size Fits All Model

While four day work weeks are appealing for many, this arrangement, it should be acknowledged, isn't realistic for everyone. It might not work for certain businesses, especially those in customer-facing industries.

Being unavailable or unable to keep up with consumer demand due to shorter work weeks isn't ideal for the business or the employees dealing with dissatisfied customers who aren't getting their needs as timeously.

However, there are ways to adapt the four-day workweek solution to ensure both customer satisfaction and employee wellbeing.

One approach is to alternate employees' schedules. While this change might not allow for a conventional Monday to Thursday work week or offer three consecutive off days, workers still benefit from an additional free day.

3. Might Result in People Being Overworked Anyway In an ideal world, a four day week would mean fewer hours worked by an employee who still maintains the same productivity and salary.

Unfortunately, four day work week can be interpreted in toxic or unhealthy ways, such as attempting to fit 40 hours of work into four hectic days. Being expected to work long hours can be highly demanding while misaligning with the needs of working parents.

Tips for Achieving a Four Day Work Week Successfully

Rushing into a four day work week can lead to complications if the transition isn't planned well. Here's how to execute your four-day week smoothly and effectively.

1. Determine Your Organisation's Needs

Though a four-day workweek might sound ideal, is it plausible, considering the nature of your business or what your staff want?

While a four-day workweek might seem like a great incentive to offer workers, four day work weeks might clash with your business practices and expectations.

2. Ask Your Staff What They Want

Other than three-days off work weekly, employees might crave different rewards or types of workplace flexibility. Additionally, not everyone will want longer weekends if it means overexerting themselves or working at an uncomfortably accelerated pace to meet deadlines. You might also discover that your staff work five days anyway to keep up with deadlines, which defeats the point of a four day work week anyway.

How Far Away Are We From Achieving a Four-Day Workweek?

A four day work week signals excellent strides toward achieving greater work flexibility and freedom, but it might not be the silver bullet for everyone.

Exercising caution is crucial. Though numerous countries and thousands of companies might have four day work weeks, it's yet to be widely practised and far from a one-size-fits-all model.

That being said, now is the best time to experiment with four day work trials. The pandemic has opened our minds to new working methods following months of forced WFH situations.

At the same time, lockdowns and hybrid working have redefined our collective thoughts on productivity. Being productive doesn't mean a five-day week under constant surveillance, and that's why four-day workweeks in this business climate have a genuine chance of transitioning from an abstract concept into a reality.