Employees and businesses around the U.S. and worldwide are saying goodbye to business as usual, and hello to more productivity and better work-life balance with a revised approach to the modern workweek: Getting a week’s worth of work done in four days.
The concept of a four-day workweek—also known as a compressed workweek—is not new; however, in the past few years, it’s gained more traction alongside flexible schedules and the freedom to work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement. Now, more companies are trialing four-day workweeks, a model that has been proven to create happier and more productive employees while also being more profitable for businesses. In a world where many employees struggle to balance their professional and personal lives, compressed workweek schedules be a worthwhile strategy to “burnout-proof” work for employees.
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Fewer Hours Means More Productivity
The primary advantage of a four-day workweek is an increased level of productivity that most companies experience after implementing shorter schedules across the board. For employers who worry about incurring loss by trimming hours of operation, research shows that 32-hour weeks are beneficial to employee satisfaction and overall performance. Insights from 4 Day Week Global’s study suggest that 78 percent of employees with condensed schedules reported being happier and less stressed, and 63 percent of companies said they find it easier to attract and retain talent by having a permanent four-day workweek.
As you’ve likely experienced firsthand, being present in the office for eight or more hours a day doesn’t equate to an entirely productive day. A new study on workplace productivity shows that the average hireling is only productive for about four or five hours per day.
Productive peak hours appear to max out at six hours, which means even the most productive employees are wasting two hours during an average day of work.
This reality alone highlights some of the potential setbacks caused by longer shifts and paints a clearer picture of what makes shorter weeks more effective.
The four-day workweek bolsters new heights in productivity levels compared to traditionally punching the clock five days a week. A well-known example that supports this idea is Microsoft Japan, which reported a 40 percent increase in productivity after giving their employees Friday off. Workers reported not only being more productive but also happier.
Depending on how a four-day workweek policy is structured, companies may either close for business on Monday or Friday or alternate off days between employees to keep critical operations running. Every business has unique needs, so it’s important to consider which approach to a compressed workweek will positively impact your company the most.
As Business Expenses Go Down, Employee Loyalty Climbs Up.
This flexible schedule model is ideal for businesses to save money and improve their bottom line. By trimming overhead costs such as office space, equipment, and utilities, companies can significantly reduce their expenses. For instance, switching to less days in-office may eliminate up to 20 percent of your company’s variable overhead costs and save thousands of dollars on building expenditures.
Additionally, eliminating one day of commuting to the office also means fewer cars on the road. An analysis by the Washington Post suggests that a shorter workweek could reduce carbon emissions in significant ways if executed properly.
Businesses have also seen improved employee engagement by implementing the 32-hour workweek and further reducing turnover. Built In’s True Costs of Employee Turnover estimate suggests that recruitment efforts may cost twice the salary of the departing employee.
Overall, embracing a four-day workweek offers numerous cost-saving benefits that companies should take advantage of.
And the best part? Employers in metro Atlanta can benefit from our expertise and one-on-one services at no cost.
Implement Four-day Workweek Strategies with Georgia Commute Options
Implementing major policy changes can be done quickly with the right guidance.
Georgia Commute Options assists businesses with creating alternative solutions for their staff to access flexible, safe, and reliable transportation options.
In metro Atlanta, 600,000+ commuters are using telework, compressed work weeks and flexwork to drive change.
Ready to join them? Georgia Commute Options can help.