So, have you ever heard of the 4-day working week? It’s a concept that’s been gaining popularity in recent years, with some companies giving it a try to see if it can boost productivity and make employees happier.
Basically, instead of working five shorter days, you could work four longer days, or you could decide to reduce everyone’s hours by one day and decrease their pay. That way, you get an extra day off to rest and recharge. Sounds pretty good, right?
4-day work week results
Studies have shown that companies that have tried this have seen benefits such as increased productivity and less employee turnover. It seems that giving employees a bit more time to rest and take care of themselves can lead to better job performance and overall happiness.
So, could all Small Businesses implement a 4-day Working Week?
For some organisations, a 4-day working week just isn’t possible. For example, if you work in healthcare or emergency services, you probably can’t just take a day off each week as people need you around 24/7. And some businesses might find it hard to keep up with customer demands or meet deadlines dropping to four days from five.
Plus, it might not work for all employees. Some might find it stressful to have to fit a full week’s work into four days, and others might struggle with working longer days. The conclusion is that it really depends on both the individual and their situation.
That being said, there are ways that companies can make a 4-day working week work. One big thing is to involve employees in the decision-making process. That way, they can give feedback and come up with solutions that work for everyone.
It’s also important to set clear expectations as well as guidelines for how work will be completed during the 4-day week. That way, everyone knows what they need to do and when. Companies might need to adjust workloads or provide additional support to make sure that employees don’t get overwhelmed.
Overall, the 4-day working week is something that some businesses are finding success with. It’s not for everyone, but for those who can make it work, it seems like a great way to boost productivity and make employees happier.
We have helped a few of our clients by consulting with their teams in line with the government trial and have had some great successes – even when it isn’t right for all employers or employees, it stimulates the conversation, increases communication and helps streamline work processes.
If you would like to hear more information then please get in touch and book a call today to find out more.
