What would you do if you had your Fridays off? (and get paid for it)
I've been pondering about the question below for a while now, namely:
Why are we still working 8 Hrs a day, 5 Days a week?
Data tells us that throughout our lifetime, we spend on average 1/3 of time Sleeping and 1/3 Working. So we have 1/3 left to squeeze in all other fun stuff, otherwise called LIFE.
I have a scientific background and I work within Life Sciences so I feel naturally drawn to data and evidence :) So I had a look at literature.
Researchers from Cambridge University have conducted the world's largest trial of the 4 DAYS WORK WEEK.
Background
61 companies (ard 2900 workers) from different industries in the UK committed to a 20% reduction in working hours for all staff for 6 months. With no fall in wages.
Findings
71% of employees had reduced levels of burnout
39% were less stressed
54% experienced it was easier to balance work with household jobs
62% reported it easier to combine work with social life
65% reduction in sick days
57% fall in the number of staff leaving their employment
Companies revenue barely changed during the trial period- (even increasing marginally by 1.4% on average)
Of the 61 companies that participated, 92% (56) are continuing with the four-day week, with 18 confirming the policy is a permanent change.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that a four-day work week significantly reduces stress and illness in the workforce, and helps with worker retention, with no loss in revenues.
So by working smarter (and not harder), we are setting the scene for not only higher productivity and better outcomes, but also for more motivated and less-stressed employees, improved rates of employee acquisition and retention, and more time for all the fun things outside of work, otherwise called LIFE.
