Four-day work week a win for productivity

FOR a while, the concept of a four-day work week seemed aspirational and even utopian. However, it is now more realistic than ever.

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Research increasingly shows that switching from five to four days is a win for employees and the companies they work for. Well-being increases and stays that way, retention issues are solved and heightened productivity replaces fatigue and stress. The benefits are so impressive that some governments are getting involved in legislating fewer working hours.

Times are changing - and modern life and modern business are better off on a four-day work schedule.

Juliet Schor is an economist and sociologist who specialises in the study of work. Here are five key insights from her latest book:

Life-changing impact

Between dual-earner households, the faster pace and complexity of modern life, and intensifying job demands, two days (a traditional weekend) are simply not enough to manage life admin, see family and friends, and recover from the work week. Around the world, levels of stress, burnout and disengagement remain historically high.

This is a big part of why a third day off can be transformational. Physical and mental health, sleep, fatigue and anxiety all improve, while stress and burnout are reduced with people being happier and more engaged in their work. The obvious reason a four day week is transformational is the ability to work less.

Productivity boost

The latest research reveals that people are much more productive on a four-day week. Employees reported that they no longer experienced the “Sunday scaries” and were able to show up on Monday mornings feeling refreshed, rather than anxious.