Submitted by MitchTobol on

4 vs 5

Post Date
Categories
Lifestyle

It's Saturday and I'm wondering what it would be like if the work week was 4 vs. 5 day. The traditional 5-day work week has been a standard for decades, but lately, there has been a growing interest in the concept of a 4-day work week.

 

Switching to a 4-day work week promises increased productivity and improved emotional well-being. Yet, there is reduced availability, increased work intensity, and some definite social shifts. Would you take Monday off or Friday off? Or maybe Wednesday? 

 

A company called Uncharted (a Denver-based company) switched to a 4 day work week. The owner said “There are so many parts of the workweek that are just a waste of time. It has been a great forcing function for us to think differently, like taking a smaller suitcase on vacation,” he added. “We have to make trade-offs.”

  

There was an Icelandic study from 2021 that showed reduced four-day workweeks are not only more efficient, but also helped relieve stress and burnout for employees.

 

Something to consider....?

Comments

Scott Bloom

Seems to be working well for some, not for others.
Rona Gura

Just from personal observation I think Americans tend to work longer work hours than other countries. It was weird to see, in both Italy and France, that businesses just close down mid day so that the employees can all have a proper midday meal. I cannot imagine that happening here.
With that being said, since Covid, I have been trying to keep my Fridays free from appointments, court etc. and work from home. I find I get so much done that way. I can't do it next week, for example, because I have two court appearances scheduled, but I appreciate it when I can
Kelly Welles

It depends on the nature of the business. In a straight 9 to 5 universe where people punch clocks such as retail and factories, hospitals, travel & transportation, government and such, it makes sense. For those not on the clock, who work 24/7 in one way or another, it is counter-intuitive.
Shelley Simpson

There was the story about a lawyer who died. He stood before the gates and yelled ..."I''m too young to be here. I'm only 45 years old!" A voice responded, "we go by hours billed." Working many hours is often seen as a badge of honor. I am grateful I have the flexibility to work in way that suits me. I wish everyone had that.
Kelly Welles

Yes. Where it works. Highly relative. To wit: No attorney, unless he/she works for the government, is going to be confined to 10/40. But maybe there's hope over time that we will collectively shift our unhealthy work habits..
Nancy Schess

I am intrigued by the 4 day work week. I don't think necessarily we will work fewer hours but the three day weekend is appealing.

Add new comment

About text formats

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.