The four-day week is in the news again. During the pandemic many businesses adapted to a different way of working and switched to working from home. Post-pandemic hybrid working is becoming a more accepted way of working. Working from home with a couple of days a week in the office or a few days each month.

The four-day work week is now being seen as the next step or even a desirable solution for many businesses, even with a recession looming.

First trialled in Europe a few years ago it’s being taken more seriously in the UK. Many businesses have already taken part in a pilot scheme earlier this year. More are now signing up to a four-day week for all their employees.

While only a small fraction of companies and employees in the UK have switched, it’s gaining momentum globally.

Benefits

Results show an increase in overall health and wellbeing with fewer days off sick. Productivity stays the same or increases. Moral improves and has a positive impact on the business and customers.

Not only does it give you the opportunity to work fewer hours for the same salary but you’ll also be more productive. Employers create a happier, more attractive working environment and reduce their costs.

Working long hours is unproductive and less effective, although it's something so many UK employees end up doing. The more tired, overworked or under pressure you feel, the more stressed you become and the less productive you are.

Poor productivity means 1-2 hours, 20% of the day, is wasted on distractions and interruptions or working on lower priority tasks. It’s easier to see how working a four-day week could work AND be more productive.

Employees given flexibility around how they work are more motivated, engaged and productive. Their quality of life improves and there's a positive impact on health and wellbeing.

It can work for different sized companies and across many different sectors.

Would a four-day week work for you?

Not possible you say.

You’re already working five days + evenings and weekends and there still isn’t enough time to get everything done. Or maybe it’s a ‘not right now’ but something you’d like to work towards ... in a year or two.

When you run your own business you’re more likely to end up working longer hours rather than fewer.

How would you like to have an extra day off in the week? It’s an aspiration many businesses and entrepreneurs want to achieve. I know because I hear them say it, often. So I help them make it a reality. It’s often easier than you think to switch to a four-day week.

The chances are you’re motivated and committed to your work, so you put in the hours. But does your health, family and social life suffer as a result? Are you always working and unable to switch off from work at the end of the day. Do you end up feeling stressed, overworked and suffering from burnout because you’re exhausted at the end of the week?

Switching to a four-day week enables you to:

• Create better focus
• Be motivated to get things done more efficiently. 
• Reduce the distractions which end up wasting time. 
• Manage your priorities better, so you focus on the right things.
• Regain some of that elusive work-life balance so you have time to relax, exercise, socialise.
• Reduce commuting time and costs.

Make it happen

It doesn’t need to be a four-day week and a three day weekend. Take a day off in the middle of the week. Spread the hours across the week and work a couple of half days. It's ideal for parents who want to work within a more flexible framework and be around for the school run at least one day a week.

As a business that needs to be available between the ‘normal’ office hours of 9-5, four or even six days a week, you can still offer the option for four-day working. Create a rota and stagger work times across the week amongst existing staff.

In the same way that flexible working and six hour work days can work around ‘core’ hours, so can a four-day week.

Do you find some days of the week are quieter than others? Whether it's the Monday or Friday or even the Wednesday 'hump' day.

It’s NOT about condensing five days of work into four days!

Although it might not be feasible for ALL industries to switch right now, working a four day week could become the norm in a few years time.

Do you want to work a 4 day week? Then make it happen. Commit to working four days a week right now.

Struggling to see how it could work for you? Get in touch and let’s make it happen.

Find Out More:

4 Day Week Campaign (website)

Four days work for five days pay - what employers say - The Financial Times

100 Companies sign up for a four-day week - The Guardian

The Pros and Cons of a 4 Day Working Week

Read my previous blog posts.

How To Work A Four Day Week

Working a six hour day - can it really work?

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Get in touch to find ways to use your time more productively, especially if you're running your own business.