Ever get tired of having to work every day? Most people have a long list of things they would rather be doing. You have to work to make money and survive, but do you really have to work five days a week? Wouldn’t it be nice to cut that workweek down a day?
A few studies have taken place to determine if a four-day workweek may be a better option for some people and in some industries.
The results vary, but most people agree they would rather work more hours on fewer days. Of course, not everyone agrees that this is best. A recent study shows some interesting results.
Perpetual Guardian CEO Andrew Barnes told CNN:
“It was just a theory, something I thought I wanted to try because I wanted to create a better environment for my team. I’m humbled that my team has responded, and they went beyond my wildest dreams.”
According to a survey taken last year, 54 percent of respondents said they felt able to manage their work-life balance.
After the trial, that number jumped to 78 percent. Staff stress levels also decreased by around 7 percent, while the metrics used to measure team engagement rose around 20 percent on average.
One of the researchers, Jarrod Haar, explained the study. He said:
“They were given the freedom to redesign things. The experiment could be a model for other workplaces and become ‘a revolutionary way to work.’”
Barnes went on to explain that employees were much more productive when their week was cut shorter.
They were more focused on getting their work done and spent less time on social media, their phones, and walking around the office socializing. He added:
“Why am I not paying based on output? Why am I paying for days in the office?”
Barnes was impressed by the results of the study.
He felt like a four-day workweek could really help his business and make his employees happier. He was so impressed that he asked the company’s board that a four-day work week be made permanent. He would also like to see it serve as an example for other firms who may be curious about changing the number of days in their workweek.
He explained:
“What happens is you get motivated, energized, stimulated, loyal workforce. I have ended up with statistics that indicate my staff is fiercely proud of the company they work for because it gives a damn.”
A similar study was recently conducted in Canada, as well.
The results of that study are pretty interesting. According to the research:
“Only 13% of Canadians agreed with the statement that they would be working three days a week in 20 years, down from roughly half of the respondents who were positive it would happen in 1969 and 1985.”
The study also asked Canadians if spending 30 hours a week at their job was a good idea, with 47 percent agreeing. Still, 31 percent say it’s a bad idea and 22 percent are unsure. The 3 in 10 that don’t like the idea of working 30 hours is down from 57 percent in 1956 and 66 percent in 1961 when asked about the idea of spending 32 hours on the job.
It seems like people can’t decide which is best.
Most would agree that they would like to work less and spend more time with their families. They just aren’t sure how to make it happen. Hopefully, more companies and firms will conduct surveys like this and see what works best for their employees. Not everyone has to be on the same schedule. If one company seems to work better with a shorter workweek, than why not make that possible?
Business owners seem to be seeing the positive results of letting their employees decide and also taking their input about other small things into consideration. Changes to the workweek may be coming, and they could be the best thing to happen to a lot of people who are sick of working all week.
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