4 day work week?

[El Presidente]

It doesn't work for all businesses, but for those where it could, what are the downsides to a 4 day workweek? 

It is certainly something that I have been considering for my own team. Assuming productivity can be maintained/improved + scheduling be practical.....I can't see any real downsides. 

To be clear, we are not talking about a cut in pay. Effectively, 36 hr work week crammed into 4 days with a staff scheduling spread over 5 days.

There is certainly momentum for a 4 day work week in Europe and Oz. I was wondering what the experience has been  of members who have already transitioned? 

[bassistheplace]

Prez, I think it totally depends on the type of business. I always start with "what's the best for the customer experience" and work backwards. I am in the equipment maintenance and rental business, so we're always on call...

[Corylax18]

Just like WFH, there are some industries where a 4 day week would work fine, others where it just wouldn't. I don't see any glaring reason it wouldn't work for the the forum. But, my question is; the standard work week in Oz is only 36 hours?!?!

[Drguano]

I’m against it only because I don’t want to come out of retirement at all let along work 4 days a week. It would have to be a very tempting job like lingerie fitter…

[Fuzz]

  On 9/12/2023 at 2:57 PM, Corylax18 said:

Just like WFH, there are some industries where a 4 day week would work fine, others where it just wouldn't. I don't see any glaring reason it wouldn't work for the the forum. But, my question is; the standard work week in Oz is only 36 hours?!?!

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According to National Employment Standards, a max of 38hrs/week is classified as full time employed. Normally most people ignore that and work on the 40hrs/week rule, ie 8hrs a day with 30-60min lunch break.

[ChangBang]

I used to be an accountant and have the option for 8hrs for 5days or 10hrs for 4days.  Always did the 4 days.

Now would I say I was more productive than if I was there 5 days?  Nah not really. I guess I was happier with the extra day off though? 

We did have staff in every day so it's not like the office was closed an extra weekday 

[ender.lmm]

In Mexico work week is 48/42 or 40 hours (depending on schedule), however government is pushing to normalize working week as 40 hours

Having worked in manufacturing industry for the last 30 years, I would agree a work week of 32 hours can achieve a higher productivity than 40 or 48

The bottom line questions are:

1) Would wages be enough to sustain people working 4 days a week and "enjoying" life the other 3?
2) in the service industry, does it mean some people will work on weekends or are the working schedules set to have everyone working at least one day of the weekend?


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[Chibearsv]

  On 9/12/2023 at 5:29 PM, Drguano said:

It would have to be a very tempting job like lingerie fitter…

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I've seen pictures of you, it won't fit. 😁

[DaBoot]

4 day work work is better by far!!! Studies show productivity starts to decrease at the 10hr mark anyway. Also, the quality of life is better for the employee, as long weekends are every weekend, and holiday weekends are 4 days without work being missed.

the company only downsides are 

1- getting people to work overtime when the company needs it, especially in the summer.

2- when you miss a day due to sickness, it is hard to makeup the time.

do it for your team. They will appreciate it!! I currently work 4 days and would not quit this job for 5k more a year to go to 5 days.

[Tunkat92]

I work 4 - 10hrs shifts. The worst part would having to go back to 5 -8’s. The second worst part is 10 hrs day during the winter when its dark when I leave and dark when I get home. I love my 3 day weekends though.

[KarlJ]

There’s a lot a variables. The type of business. The type of work performed. And the individual employees.

In my trade, the standard is 40hrs week. 5 days, 8hrs/day.  Typically I work 6-2 or 6:30-2:30. 
I was on a project that was 4) 10’s.  I wasn’t a fan. Getting home late. Not at the table for dinner. Trying to do homework with the kids when they should be getting ready for bed. And just the weekly responsibilities that I was trying to shuffle off until Friday/weekend.  And by time Friday came I was so drained, I felt useless.

I’m more productive at work and at home on a 5 day/40hr work week.  But that’s me and my circumstances. Other individuals are geared towards a 4 day week and works in everyone favor.

 

[dominattorney]

Small law firm here. We are pioneers. Been doing it since the beginning. No one in the office after noon on Fridays. Attorneys occasionally come in in the morning if needed, or if we are in trial. Barring that it's golf or skiing, or time at the brick and mortar. Nothing good ever happened on a Friday in my business. I doubt it ever will. 

[TheDonTX]

I manage automotive service departments and it wouldn't work for us. I would love it if it did. I haven't worked 40 hours a week in years. Our employees are scheduled a minimum of 50 hours a week. Being a manager I put in 45ish. Car business is brutal hours. I'm trying to be part of the solution that's changing it. 
 

The way service advisors and techs operate a 4 day work just isn't optional. 

[El Presidente]

  On 9/13/2023 at 1:54 AM, dominattorney said:

Nothing good ever happened on a Friday in my business. I doubt it ever will. 

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. It should be one of the commandments. Friday 4pm-5pm business emails are never good 

[dominattorney]

  On 9/13/2023 at 4:59 AM, El Presidente said:

. It should be one of the commandments. Friday 4pm-5pm business emails are never good 

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I broke that commandment last Friday and sent an email from my phone at 3:30 pm. Had to call the poor woman Monday and apologize. 

[Nevrknow]

  On 9/13/2023 at 4:59 AM, El Presidente said:

. It should be one of the commandments. Friday 4pm-5pm business emails are never good 

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Always people " clearing the email box". We hate it with a passion.

1. You had all week to do this.

2. It can wait until Monday. 
We don't deal with anything that important,  EVERY FRIDAY!!!!

[Corylax18]

  On 9/12/2023 at 5:37 PM, Fuzz said:

According to National Employment Standards, a max of 38hrs/week is classified as full time employed. Normally most people ignore that and work on the 40hrs/week rule, ie 8hrs a day with 30-60min lunch break.

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Its interesting to look at average hours worked per week around the world. Americans are certainly hard working, but we usually come in around Mid pack, the Asian countries have some serious work/life balance issues. It would be great if we could all get a bit closer to the Europeans, I cant imagine what it would be like to get 6 weeks off every year. If I got that kind of time off I would figure out how to make damn near any schedule work. 5/40, 4/40, 2/40. Whatever. 

[Frozen North]

I’ve been working a solid 3 hours per day for the past 23 years. Four day weeks would be fine with me.

[GP012]

We have an optional schedule with 9 hours on Monday - Thursday and 4 on Friday. It's a true Mon-Fri industry and Friday afternoons are very slow.

It started as an option during the summer only, but we expanded to year round during the pandemic. About 75% of our eligible employees have decided to use it. It's definitely improved morale with the understanding that workload and performance cannot suffer.

[rondogg]

I run a remote company - we have tried it all 4 day, 3 day, 5 day etc etc. Here's my experience, I am happy to share.

1. We are very output driven - the end of goal - kpi's are what matters with deadlines in place - how you plan to get there via the long scenic route 5 day or 3 days is your call.

2. I LOVE working - 7 days a work, i get up 7 am till i go to bed at like 10 pm, with the power of an 18 yr old ready to conquer the world, however I also understand our employees want a stable 9-5 job and it's in their best interests to rest and relax - and we have a rule - Ron can't reach them on weekends or post their work hours.

3. You should have the freedom to pick you work schedule - until your goals and kpis are clear with dates, outputs are measurable and the grandiose vision of where we will be 5 years from now is repeated, re-repeated till it's second nature.

 

hope that helps

[Greenhorn2]

4 day work week? I thought foul language was looked down upon around here.

[Duxnutz]

Fan of the 3 day week. 

[Greenhorn2]

  On 9/14/2023 at 8:10 AM, Duxnutz said:

Fan of the 3 day week. 

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Make it one and I'm on board!

[Squarehead]

What is your beef?As a pensioner I'm on a 7 days a week schedule 😂

[Fuzz]

  On 9/13/2023 at 2:58 PM, Corylax18 said:

Its interesting to look at average hours worked per week around the world. Americans are certainly hard working, but we usually come in around Mid pack, the Asian countries have some serious work/life balance issues. It would be great if we could all get a bit closer to the Europeans, I cant imagine what it would be like to get 6 weeks off every year. If I got that kind of time off I would figure out how to make damn near any schedule work. 5/40, 4/40, 2/40. Whatever. 

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