A four-day workweek might sound like a dream, but could it ever be a reality? Proponents have long touted the benefits of a compressed working schedule – more efficiency, a better work-life balance, improved mental health, stronger family ties, and even benefits to the environment from less commuting. With more people working from home and adopting flexible working patterns in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, having a permanent three-day weekend seems like it could be achievable.
In the United Kingdom, the largest real-world trial of a four-day workweek is currently underway. For six months, over 3,300 employees from 70 companies will work only four days a week yet receive full pay and benefits. The catch, however, is that they are expected to be just as productive in four days as they were in five.
The experiment, led by the nonprofits 4 Day Week Global and 4 Day Week UK Campaign and the think tank Autonomy, will also look at how a four-day workweek impacts gender equality, employee well-being, and the environment. The companies participating in the experiment range from digital marketing and banking to online retail and automotive. The results of the experiment will be analyzed by researchers from Cambridge, Oxford, and Boston College.
The end of the 40-hour workweek?
- Employers are also coming around to the potential advantages of a four-day workweek, especially for attracting and retaining employees. Many companies have struggled with labor shortages in recent months, in a trend known as the "Great Resignation."
- A few companies have launched their own experiments. Microsoft Japan saw a 40% increase in productivity and efficiency as a result of their 2019 trial of a four-day workweek. The New Zealand financial services firm Perpetual Guardian tried out a shorter workweek in 2018 and has made the change permanent.
- The idea of a four-day workweek isn't particularly new. Even then-Vice President Richard Nixon called for it back in 1956. However, experts predict that a four-day workweek won't be instituted in the United States any time soon, even if other countries take strides in that direction.
As companies and employees continue to experiment with the four-day workweek, one trend that could facilitate its adoption is the rise of outsourced labor markets, particularly virtual assistant companies that can connect workers to skilled labor overseas. For example, the Philippines has become a hub for virtual assistants due to its skilled workforce, lower labor costs, and English proficiency.
This type of outsourcing could allow companies to maintain productivity while giving their local employees more time off, as well as offering opportunities for overseas workers. While there are concerns about the impact of outsourcing on job security and labor standards, it could be a solution for companies seeking to implement a four-day workweek. Overall, the four-day workweek may still be far from a widespread reality, but ongoing experiments and trends suggest that it could become a more viable option in the future.
