Over the last few years, the idea of a 4-day working week has gained more global attention. Multiple companies have been trialling it and are sharing what they’ve discovered.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a 3-day weekend!
Companies that have participated in this trial have shone a light on the many benefits of a 4-day work week. Some of these include:
Increased Productivity
Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between work hours and productivity. The clear conclusion is that overworked employees are less productive.
Perpetual Guardian, a New Zealand company, has been trialling the 4-day work week and has found that not only has productivity increased but also job satisfaction, teamwork and company loyalty. Stress in employees has also dropped from 45% to 38%.
Better Employment Engagement
Employees are proven to be happier and more committed when they have longer breaks from work. An extra day means that they return to work feeling motivated and ready for a challenge
Smaller Carbon Footprint
With fewer people commuting to work within the week, carbon emissions are bound to drop. However, this is not the only way a 4-day week can support the environment.
With commercial buildings being empty for one extra day, energy costs can be massively reduced. Research conducted in Utah has shown that over $1.8 million could be saved by closing for an extra day. This is also a huge increase in profitability for companies.
Cons
Despite the positive outcomes of this new system, some areas still need improvements such as:
Customer Satisfaction
Reports show that customer satisfaction levels dropped due to the inability to get in contact on weekdays. To battle this, companies could incorporate online chatbots into their website to help with communication flow.
Misunderstanding the Concept
Many people share the misbelief that a 4-day working week would mean compressed hours.
However, this is not the case. Employees would continue to work 7 hours a day, averaging 32 hours a week rather than the typical 40.
To find out more about the benefits of a 4-day work week, get in touch with the dedicated team at Phoenix S&S.
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