The 4 – Day Week

This week in the UK, a one of its kind experiment has been launched , wherein more than 3000 employees from  70 organisations would be taking a day off from their weekly schedule I.e work 4 days a week without any pay cuts . From large corporations to  small retailers, a wide spectrum of the working class ranging from hospitality, telecommunications, retail and marketing would be subjected to this experiment which shall continue for 6 months. The 4 Week Global, a not for profit organisation in the UK, and a strong campaigner for the 4 day week is at the centre of this exercise.  

The Genesis

There is no denying the fact that post the Pandemic, the Quality of Life is the most sought after prize across the globe. The two years of Covid were unprecedented and made people realise that there was more to life than work alone. Employee  burnout became a talking point everywhere and  how best could it  be averted. Work life Balance, a phrase which is being heard  for a very long time , became a serious topic of discussion. Infact giving freedom to employees to choose from where they wish to work is seen nowadays as a strong incentive to hire and/or retain the finest talent. The genesis of the 4 Day week lies broadly in the argument above.

The 100-80-100 principle

At the  the core of this experiment is the 100-80-100 principle, wherein employees shall work for 80% of their scheduled working hours for 100% of their salary, however ensuring 100% of the expected output from them. This experiment shall measure whether the expected output can be achieved and that  the productivity of the employees can be improved by shortening the working hours and giving them much more time for family, recreation, pursuing their hobbies  etc. Simply put whether a relaxed, happy employee can deliver more in less time. In my opinion the results may well  be in the affirmative.

The Win-Win-Win Situation

The 4 day week or shortened working hours may deliver huge benefits in the long run not only for the employer and the employee but also may have far reaching impacts on the environment. For the employer a much more focussed and productive workforce would emerge. There would also be savings on overheads like office space, electricity etc which would eventually have a positive cumulative effect on the earnings of the company.

For the employees too there would be all the more reason to work on their skills and become more efficient and productive. This would make them better workers and enhance their own marketability. The 4 day week would also give them ample time to unwind with their family and pursue their interests and add a good few notches to their HQ ( happiness quotient ). 

It is also expected that a shortened work week, would result in reduced traffic on the roads, thus pulling down pollution. Consumption of fuel and electricity would also reduce thus helping conserve natural resources. There would also be a reduced stress on the public transportation system particularly in countries where public transport is the most preferred travel option. A win-win-win situation indeed for all the stakeholders.

Catching the Globe

Juliet Schor, a sociology professor at the Boston College  and lead researcher in this experiment has  described this win-win-win situation as the expected three dividends from the 4 day week. Researchers have also said that a similar exercise carried out in Ireland a few years ago was a huge success leading to many preferring shortened working hours.  The 4 day Week campaign organisers have stated that Government backed similar programmes would be held in Spain and Scotland later this year. In India too the Ministry of  Labour is working to frame a policy on the 4 Day Week. Amongst the IT firms in India a hybrid system of work is being proposed.  

“ Happiness  Inspires Productivity “, a quote by Shawn Achor, American author and an advocate of positive psychology, is extremely relevant to my post today.

Just raise the HQ, the productivity will take care of itself….is a lesson learnt.

Ref : Article by Madeline Garfinkle & The Mint