The four-day work week. We keep hearing about it, but what is it all about? In June 2022, 61 companies across a range of sectors participated in a four-day workweek trial in the UK. This meant 100% of the pay, 80% of the hours and 100% commitment to the same productivity. The trial aimed to test the effectiveness of a shorter week and its impacts on productivity, employee satisfaction, and motivation. The trial was deemed a success, with over 95% of the companies continuing the trial in some form, and a third of those who participated have made the scheme permanent.
So what are the benefits of a four-day workweek? The trial reported a range of benefits, including:
- Increased productivity and profits
- Greater employee satisfaction
- Less sicks days
- 57% drop in the number of employees quitting
- Less burnout
In a recent poll on the National Workforce LinkedIn page, 92% voted for a four-day workweek. And in fact, there are discussions to trial the same strategy here in Australia, starting with public servants. But whether the four-day workweek is implemented more broadly in Australia is yet to be determined. While there are clear benefits, there are potential downsides, including burnout for those who are not able to complete their work in that time and potentially longer hours for employees.
The discussion is continuing to happen across workplaces and social media, demonstrating an increasing interest in the topic. So what is the four-day workweek really about?
Perhaps it’s a cry for more balance? Greater flexibility? More free time? Or even all of the above. As the discussion unfolds, it’s a good time to think about how your current week plays out and what you can do to bring greater balance.
Here’s how you can create better balance:
- Cut down on unnecessary meetings and emails – if something can be resolved in a quick phone call or email, try it. Meetings can be great for multiple reasons, but when there are many in a day, they can become draining and disruptive to productivity and work output. Conversely, if there are chains of emails going back on forth on a matter – set up a meeting! A face-to-face conversation will enable you to resolve the discussion faster.
- Take lunch breaks – whether you’re sitting at a desk or engaging in physical labour or something else, breaks are essential to maintain focus, avoid burn out and maintain good mental health. Staying at your desk for eight hours is not going to help you to feel balanced and focused.
- Plan and review your tasks – when we have a to-do list, it can be easy to get into the pattern of doing without thinking, churning through tasks with no thought about timelines and resources. The more you pause to think about your to-do list, prioritise tasks and identify where you may need assistance, the more in control you will be.
What do you think about the four-day workweek? Do you think you can make every week more manageable with the above suggestions?
