In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, climate crisis, and record inflation, companies are transitioning to the four-day work week. The four-day work is working 80% of typical hours in exchange for 100% productivity, and it supports our new world of work and our budding creator cultures within organizations. Four-day work week trials have been implemented by corporations, governments, and start-ups in many countries with overwhelming successes. This phenomenon is about creating and supporting a culture where employees are enabled in a flexible manner to work in a way that reflects their individuality, strengths, and lets them choose how they work, as well as where and when they work.
Transition from the Traditional Work Week
Ford introduced the 40-hour work week close to a hundred years ago, but amidst technological advances, the work contract has changed, and it is time to implement strategies that are appropriate to the new work era we are experiencing. A four-day work week is more about being productive and engaged with your work time and less about showing that you can be present for 40 hours. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, Salesforce expects more than 65% of its workforce to be in the office one to three days a week in the future, up from 40% before the pandemic.
Countries implementing the Four Day Work Week
In her TED Talk, job expert Juliet Schor shares that half of all American employees report feeling stressed for most of the day, and four million Americans quit their jobs monthly. Companies across the world like Japan, The United Kingdom, Spain, Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal have implemented four-day work week trials, which lead to less stress, employees valuing their jobs more, and are as productive in four days as they are in five. These trials demonstrate decreased turnover rates, sick days, stress levels, and healthcare costs.
According to Business Insider, the Japanese electronics conglomerate Panasonic announced this year that they will be offering a four-day work week following a four-day work week trial which significantly improved productivity and work-life balance in their employees. The CEO of Panasonic wants to support their employees with their side jobs and non-work pursuits. Currently, eight percent of Japanese companies offer four-day work weeks.
Thousands of people in the United Kingdom have participated in a four-day work week trial. As a result, many workers report increased health, happiness, and productivity. Furthermore, trials in Iceland have also demonstrated increased health, work-life balance, and decreased burnout and stress levels. One percent of Iceland’s working population participated in four-day work week trials from 2015 to 2019, and now 86% of Iceland’s workforce has transitioned to shorter hours for the same pay or will soon gain the right to.
The Future of Work is changing, and so are Career Expectations!(Opens in a new browser tab)
Going Forward
The four-day work week coupled with digital transformation, automation, and employee purpose is the future of work. The initiative will increase productivity, business growth, and a longer-term decarbonization dynamic will be implemented. The voices in the workforce grow louder and louder for these types of changes, and there is no other alternative than to provide the flexibility that the workforce desires.
About the author…
Coreyne Woodman-Holoubek is an HR Executive and thought-leader with over 18 years of global business and human resource leadership expertise cultivated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain. She is the Founder of Progressive HR, the host of Progressive HR Live on LinkedIn, the Creator of “HR Stand Out & Make an Impact on LinkedIn,” and a LinkedIn Top Voice in Company Culture. Coreyne is passionate about emerging HR technology and new work ways; and is a sought-after creator, influencer, and media personality for HR tech, Work tech, and the future of work conversations across the globe.
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