4 Day Work Week: The Pros and Cons

There have been various debates over work schedules and timings. Companies and management are taking initiatives to promote employees' well-being and keep them productive. Countries such as Iceland, Spain, UAE, Belgium, New Zealand, and Scotland have already implemented a 4 day work week. Global companies are testing the 4 day working week. Some can see a positive reflection on employees' productivity, health, and engagement. It may even sound exciting to the employees as the workforce will only have to work four days a week.

However, the model is new, and various aspects must be considered before implementing it. Here we have covered the pros and cons associated with 4 days of working. 

Pros:  

Below-mentioned is the pros associated with the 4 day working week model and how it can benefit businesses.  

Reduced Costs 

A four-day work week can be a cost-effective model. The office will remain closed for one extra day, which may help reduce the utility cost and the cost of operating the office. In contrast, the employees will have one additional off and will not have to commute on an extra day. As per the research, more than 50% of business leaders reported saving in business costs with the schedule. 

Reduced Downtime 

Employees will have one additional day to look after their personal needs and health concerns. Leaders even reported a decrease in sick leaves taken, which could benefit this model. Most employees will be tempted to schedule their work and leave only on the 3-day weekend. 

Increase in Productivity Levels  

Studies have revealed that reducing work time helps increase productivity by 40%. The employees will be motivated to work as they will be aware that the number of days has been reduced. They would aim to complete the work within the working days and stay productive in the 4 day work week schedule. 

Fewer Hours 

The 4 day working week significantly reduces the hours the employees will have to finish. Working beyond regular hours can lead to burnout and may cause harm to an individual's health. One can prevent this by implementing the model and providing the necessary break to the employees. 

Better Employee Engagement and Health 

A 4 day work week will keep the employees happy and satisfied. The employees will look forward to the three-day weekend and remain motivated to work. They will be able to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Studies reveal that every 1 in 6 individuals deals with mental health issues. By implementing a 4 day work week, employees will have long weekends. There will be an improvement in the overall well-being of the employees.  

Read Also: What is Workplace Wellness?

Better Retention 

When employees are happy and satisfied, they are less likely to look for a switch. The strategy may help increase the retention rate. The employees will be mentally and physically satisfied and have fewer reasons for the switch. 

Cons:  

Here are the cons associated with the 4 day working week model. 

Not Suitable for Every Industry 

One of the biggest cons associated with the 4 day work week is that the business model is unsuitable for every type of business. It is viable for companies who can shift and re-adapt their business to the 4 day working week schedule. It can be challenging for service-based companies to deal with customers  24*7. 

Work-Related Stress 

The 4 day work week may sound extremely exciting, but it can affect an individual's health. When an employee has to work four hours, they will have lesser time to complete the tasks. Employees unable to finish the tasks in fewer hours will be under pressure to complete the tasks. The pressure can add to stress and may lead to other health concerns. 

Decreased Customer Satisfaction 

Companies worldwide are boasting about 24*7 customer services. AI-powered websites and chatbots are helping to improve customer satisfaction. However, employees who work only four days may reply to lesser queries, which can decrease customer satisfaction. It can have a significant impact on the monetary aspect of the business. 

Potential Burnout 

Depending on the business model and work requirements, the employees will have to meet the deadlines and cater to the demands of the stakeholders. One must understand that the 4 day work week will mean the employees will have one less day to complete the tasks. The more work to be completed in fewer hours may lead to potential burnout and harm the employees mentally.  

Read Also: 6 Tips to Prevent Burnout

Scheduling Conflicts  

Compressing the work routines can make it complicated for different teams to communicate together. This may occur when two teams follow different time schedules. It might get challenging to attend brainstorming sessions and work for the betterment of the organization. It may even lead to conflicts within the team. 

The 4 day work week can have a list of pros and cons. Many counties are planning to implement the 4 day working week. There are various factors that companies must consider before implementing the schedule. Companies should take extra initiative and plan everything to make the routine more viable. Plan the important activities and tasks before the week for a better working schedule.