The business mantra of “working smarter, not harder” has been around for decades, and its most recent manifestation is the 4-day work week. Working less and getting more time off was always going to be a popular choice among employees, but employers remained skeptical. With the 32-hour work week set to gain traction after successful trials, what could it mean for the US? Here are 18 things that could potentially happen if the 4-day work week goes ahead.
Improved Work-Life Balance
The primary benefit of a 32-hour workweek is the improved work-life balance. Unlike the Baby Boomer generation who prioritized hard work and long hours, people nowadays are happy to have more time off. The increasing culture of “Working to live” rather than “Living to work” means people want jobs that excite them. If they cannot have that, they would like a greater balance between free time and work.
Certain Industries Might Suffer
While many companies have stated they’d like to opt for shorter work weeks, this isn’t the case for every industry. Some sectors, such as emergency services, require a seven-day presence at work to run efficiently. While staff may still desire a 32-hour week, implementing this would be impractical.
More Productive Workers
One thing that became clear after the 4-day work week trials was that people were more productive. Employers reported that staff got more done in less time, with some companies noting an impressive 40% increase in productivity.
Reduced Co2 Emissions
A 4-day work week won’t just benefit humans; it would tackle environmental concerns, too. Having one less day per week of people commuting to work would help reduce CO2 emissions. In a world increasingly blighted by climate change and with frantic calls to reduce emissions, this structure of working is a popular idea.
Less Burnout
Balancing working life with responsibilities at home can be incredibly stressful, with people having to juggle multiple concerns at once. Burnout refers to a state of emotional and physical exhaustion, often resulting from overwhelming stress. As one of the key reasons for burnout is working too much, a 4-day week could help immensely.
Reduced Pressure on Public Transport
With staggered days off meaning fewer people using public transport at once, the running of these services could improve. With less pressure on train and bus services, commuters will have a more pleasant journey to work, and this may boost overall well-being.
Remote Working
While remote working has been popular since the pandemic, a 4-day work week could encourage more companies than ever to make the switch. Staggered days off would mean fewer people in the office at any given time, making an in-person work policy increasingly redundant. Creating a remote team would also allow companies to save money on office space.
Improved Employee Retention
It makes sense that if employees are healthier and happier, they are more likely to stay in their current jobs. People being less stressed due to shorter work weeks has been proven to increase job satisfaction. Both employers and employees would benefit from having a consistent team.
Longer Work Days
While a 22-hour work week would afford people an extra day off, this may mean they have to work longer days to compensate. To make the 4-day work week operate well from a business perspective, employers may lengthen people’s days. This compressed style of working could hinder rather than help people, meaning that they’re less likely to enjoy this additional time off.
Poor Customer Satisfaction
In many industries, but particularly retail, customers expect a business to be at their beck and call 24/7. But for companies adopting a classic 4-day work week, fewer members of staff will be on call. Over time, this could impact the reputation of certain businesses, eventually decreasing the volume of good reviews.
People Will Save Money
Having an extra day to relax might allow people to save money if they choose, particularly if they work in an expensive city. An average day of commuting comes with significant costs, from the price of train tickets to coffee and expensive lunches.
More Time Spent With Family
After trialing the 4-day work week, many people reported being able to spend more time with family. Offering a flexible work schedule and an extra day off allows more quality time with children and partners. If couples have a different day off, it may also reduce childcare costs and allow important one-on-one bonding time.
Longer Meetings
One disadvantage of a shorter workweek could be longer or more frequent meetings. After all, just because workers are getting more time off, the volume of work won’t decrease to reflect this.
Better Physical Health
Enjoying a better work-life balance may improve people’s physical health over time, reducing their risk of stress-related illnesses. What’s more, the prospect of going to the gym or working out becomes far more attractive with an extra day off and less stress.
Fewer Absences
With greater physical and mental health, employees are less likely to take days off work, either to recover from an illness or burnout. When people are stressed at work, it means they are more likely to get sick and need time out to recover. But with a shorter work week, job satisfaction will improve and absences will decrease.
Improved Air Quality
If the 4-day work week is widely implemented, US cities may enjoy improved air quality. With fewer people commuting and contributing to traffic fumes, city dwellers may be able to enjoy fresher air.
Talent Acquisition
When a company becomes known for offering a flexible working pattern, they’re more likely to attract talented individuals. After all, people are more likely to work for a company that offers a stable yet positive working culture. It may also attract talented foreign workers from countries that have yet to consider a shortened work week.
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