5 Obvious Reasons Why A Four-Day Work Week Is The Future

For as long as we remember, the work week has followed a conventional course- Monday to Friday. This structure has been rather unshakable in the business world.

The past year while transforming nearly every aspect of our world, has also radically brought changes to work life. While the disruption caused by the pandemic paved way for work from home, more changing work practices are gaining momentum.

As businesses start to reopen, the workplaces are certain to look quite different for a while. As the future of work is more uncertain than ever, the businesses are being forced to evolve. Amidst the shake up, the concept of a four-day work week is also gathering momentum.

Although the push for a four-day work week was already gaining support before the pandemic, the radical changes to office life has made the idea seem more viable to businesses around the world.

It appears to be the solution to perfecting work/life harmony in a labour market where modern employees crave ownership over their schedules and greater social freedom to experience, you know ¡­life.

New flexibility to choose where we do our jobs has many of us thinking about what the future might hold. Monday to Friday, nine to five, could soon be a thing of the past.

Here are five reasons why four-day work week is the future:

1. Increased productivity

The big reservation that employers have about the idea of a four-day work week is that less work will be completed. Companies want to maximize productivity and therefore profit, so they are not inclined to reduce work time.

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But the talk of only four working days yielding low output seem to be a little far fetched. Supporters of the four-day work week model say employees being better rested leads to increased productivity and more committed, happy workers.

And if studies and common sense is anything to go by, four-day workweek would indeed result in a healthier, more effective workforce.

Research conducted on Microsoft workers in Japan last year showed that allowing workers to work four days a week and receive their regular five-day paycheck yielded a 40 percent productivity boost. Employers also saved on electricity, because the workspace was closed an extra day.

The fact that political and business leaders are beginning to acknowledge these advantages, along with the increased focus on employee well-being, the dream of a four-day work week could soon be a reality for many employees across the globe.

Also read: Microsoft Japan Tries Out The Four-Day Work Week Policy & Sees 40% Boost In Productivity

2. Smaller carbon footprint

It is believed that the less time spent at work is better for the environment as workers will leave a smaller carbon footprint, and it would aid the fight against climate change.

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Countries with shorter working hours typically have a smaller carbon footprint so reducing our work week from 5 to 4 days could have an environmental benefit too. Shortening our working week means that employees don¡¯t need to commute as much and large office buildings are only in use four days a week.

A four-day work week trial conducted by the US state of Utah in 2009, helped the government reduce its greenhouse emissions by 12,000 metric tons a year, the equivalent of removing 2,300 cars off the road for one year, simply by working one day less a week.

3. Better work-life balance

Four-day work week makes employees happy and it also boosts employee morale and helps them achieve a better work-life balance. Due to this, employees are more satisfied with their jobs.

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When a New Zealand trust management company named Perpetual Guardian tried out a four-day workweek, it saw employee work-life balance increase 45%. The New York Times also reported that the employees' "actual job performance didn't change when doing it over four days instead of five."

With less stress and a greater work-life balance, employees reportedly engage better with their work, along with increased motivation and creativity.

A proper work-life balance is one of the top priorities for employees of all ages, and especially for young workers entering the workforce. In order to remain successful, companies need to place strong emphasis on recruiting the best candidates and retaining them so that they grow and succeed with the company. A 4-day work week is a great way to demonstrate that a company values the overall well-being of their employees, and is committed to allowing its workers to develop both their personal and professional lives without sacrificing either.

Also read: More Companies Are Saying A Four-Day Work Week Is Actually Good For Business

4. Better employee engagement

A 4 day week can lead to happier and more committed employees. Employees are less likely to be stressed or take sick leave as they have plenty of time to rest and recover. As a result, they return to work feeling ready to take on new challenges.

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From 2015 to 2017, Sweden conducted a trial study into a shorter work week. Nurses at a care home worked only 6 hours for five days a week. During the first 18 months of the trial the nurses working shorter hours logged less sick leave, reported better perceived health and boosted their productivity by organising 85% more activities for their patients.

Fewer hours in the office means there¡¯s less time to slack off, so focus levels go up and people get dialed in to an extent that may not be maintainable on a five-day, 40-hour schedule. The end result is a workforce that¡¯s well-rested, creatively stimulated, and available to commit themselves more wholeheartedly to their work when they're in the office.

5. Employees are happier

People are happier when they work less. A 2019 survey found that the 5 countries ranked highest in the world for overall happiness worked fewer hours than average. This does not mean that people are at their most carefree without jobs or responsibilities, or that many don¡¯t take pleasure in their work and careers.

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On the contrary, career success is a huge source of pride for lots of people, and there is no reason that this should dramatically change with a 4-day work week. People are happiest when it feels like they have a proper work-life balance, meaning they have the time and energy to develop both their personal and professional lives without sacrificing either.

For many people, the concept of a shorter workweek is enticing. After all, it can be difficult to find enough time for the things we love.

Is it reasonable then, in our quest for happiness, to begin working less? Advocates of a shorter workweek would agree and if studies are anything to go by, it could only benefit employees and work to the advantage of the companies.

Also read: Spain Likely To Experiment With Four-Day Work Week, A First For Europe