The traditional five day work week has been the standard for over a century, but recent shifts in the workplace culture and employee expectations have sparked interest in a shorter work schedule.
The concept of a four day work week gained traction, with companies across the globe experimenting with different models to boost productivity, improve employee well-being, and even reduce operational costs. While some businesses have reported great success, others have encountered challenges. So, there’s a question as to whether the four day work week is really a sustainable choice.
One of the most significant benefits of a four day work week is the improved work life balance it offers employees. By working fewer days, employees have more time to spend with family, put time into their personal hobbies, or simply relax and have down time.
Companies that priorities a work life balance can see increased job satisfaction among their employees when adopting the idea of a four day work week. Thinking about this from a business owners’ perspective this could lead to a lower turnover rate and a more engaged workforce that are able to work more efficiently and work to a higher standard. In today’s market there is especially high competition to gain the best skilled employees for your team and offering an additional day off could make a company more attractive to top talent.
It may sound counterintuitive, but studies have suggested that working fewer days can actually enhance productivity. Microsoft Japan experimented with a four day work week and saw a 40% increase in the productivity of their employees. The reasoning for this was simple: when employees had less time to complete their work, they had to focus more, eliminate distractions, and work more efficiently.
For companies, implementing a four day work week can translate into significant cost savings. Fewer office days mean lower electricity bills, reduced office supply usage, and even savings on amenities. However, it would be silly to ignore the flip side of this and see how it could cost your company significant losses. While some industries could thrive under a four day structure, others may struggle. Customer service, healthcare, retail, and other sectors that require constant availability may find it challenging to operate on a reduced schedule meaning customers may become dissatisfied and choose to go elsewhere for their goods. You could stagger employee schedules to help manage this although that may prove a challenge when dealing with operations and not fully resolve the issue.
I’d say one of the most appealing qualities of a four day work week would be to attract and retain top talent that is proving to be a major challenge for employers. Offering a four day work week can be a significant incentive for potential hires. It demonstrates that the company values their employees’ work life balance and is willing to innovate to create a better workplace.
Although there are some pros to the idea of a four day work week and it’s sounding pretty positive at the moment there are some issues with the reality.
One of the biggest challenges of implementing a four day work week is the need to condense your current 40 hours into four days. A reality of this would be longer work days which could be mentally exhausting for your employees, longer working days could have the opposite effect of a shorter work week and cause decreased concentration leading to lack of productivity.
In some cases, companies implementing a four day work week reduce employee salaries to reflect fewer working hours. While this isn’t always the case, it can be a drawback for workers who rely on a salary that reflects full time pay. Any company that wishes to consider a four day model would need to be transparent about salary adjustments and ensure employees are not unfairly penalised for working fewer days. Some businesses choose to maintain salaries while reducing hours, but this would require careful financial planning to ensure this is sustainable for your business.
While many companies report increased productivity, not all businesses see the same benefits. Employees can feel rushed to complete their tasks in fewer days, which could lead to a higher stress level when thinking about work which may lead people to decide that a company with a four day work week isn’t for them.
Many businesses operate on a five day schedule and some a seven days to meet customer demands. Reducing the work week could create gaps in customer service, leading to client dissatisfaction which would create a strain on the customer relationships that we work hard to maintain. Businesses need to carefully consider how reduced hours may impact their client relationships.
The answer isn’t black and white. The success of a four day work week depends on the industry, company culture, and how well the transition is managed. Some businesses could thrive under this model, whilst others may struggle to maintain efficiency and customer satisfaction.
However, the growing conversation around flexible work arrangements suggests that change is inevitable. Hybrid work models, remote work, and reduced-hour schedules are already reshaping our traditional employment structures. Organisations that prioritise flexibility and employee well-being will likely have a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent.
Read more:
The Four Day Work Week: A Game Changer or Just a Trend?