Why Trial a 4 Day Week?
What is it anyway?
Adopting a 4 day week is a business improvement strategy centered on working smarter rather than longer, and investing in the wellbeing of the most important asset to any business – your people. We advocate for the 100-80-100 model – 100% of the pay, 80% of the time, but critically in exchange for 100% of the productivity.
A 4 Day Week can improve:
PRODUCTIVITY –shift your business away from measuring based on hours worked, and towards measuring based on results. The 4 day week has been proven to deliver increased productivity in businesses all over the world in a broad range of industries. *
WELLBEING –improve the work-life balance of your employees and deliver transformational benefits in their daily lives, while improving physical and mental health, and reducing levels of burnout, stress, sick leave, and absenteeism. The 4 day week is shown to result in happier employees, with higher levels of job satisfaction and brand loyalty.
ENGAGEMENT – create a more energized, efficient, empowered, and motivated workforce, which is focused on organizational priorities, delivering outputs, and achieving key targets, rather than on the time spent at the office, at the desk or on the clock.
RECRUITMENT –give your business a competitive edge when it comes to attracting the best talent, and increase your pool of potential recruitment candidates, as well as helping to retain your best employees and cut down on unplanned attrition.
SUSTAINABILITY – reduce the carbon footprint of your business through reduced commuting and reduced energy use, as well as enabling more sustainable lifestyle changes among your workforce outside of work.
GENDER EQUALITY –enable a better distribution of caring responsibilities between mothers and fathers, even the playing field by reducing barriers to women achieving senior positions in work, and reduce childcare costs.
INNOVATION –future proof your business, in response to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fourth industrial revolution of AI, automation and digital technologies. Being an early adapter and a market leader will establish you as an innovative, progressive, forward-thinking business that stands out from your competition.
*FOOTNOTE
The landmark 4 day week trial at Perpetual Guardian in New Zealand in 2018,monitored by academics at The University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology, found engagement levels rose between 30 and 40 percent, work-life balance metrics rose by 44 percent, empowerment by 26 percent, leadership by28 percent, work stimulation by 27 percent, and organizational commitment by 29percent.
A long-running landmark trial of a shorter work week in Iceland has been hailed an “overwhelming success”. Analysis of the results found that a reduction of working hours maintained or increased productivity across all sectors in the economy. The findings also indicated improved wellbeing and work-life balance among workers.
Microsoft Japan’s 2019 4 day week trial yielded a 39 percent increase in productivity.
Need help setting up your own 4 day week pilot?
Get in touch with 4 Day Week Global for assistance. Sign up to the pilot below and our program team will be in touch.
Managing a 4 day-week trial
Running a trial is recommended. The job of the C-suite is to decide to run a trial and set objectives, for example, do you want increased productivity, do you want better employee engagement and wellbeing?
Decide if you want to engage with academics to follow your trial. Measuring results can be highly beneficial in establishing productivity measurements, benchmarks, goals and policies. Engaging with an academic researcher should be done as first step so pre-trial assessments can be done.
Announce to your employees your plan to run a trial, providing them with clear, concise information about your goals. Give them an appropriate amount of time to prepare and work with you to scope the trial and plan the way they will be best managed under this program. This should be collaborative, and not be done from the C-suite alone.
Once a trial and productivity measurements are established, find ways to reduce disruption and distractions in the work environment. Provide a forum for your employees to share these learnings with others in your workplace.
Ensure you are supporting all levels of managers so they have the best chance of success. For some managers, this may challenge their skill level. Develop resources and tools to assist them through this change.
As you run your trial, be prepared to adapt and change based on what you learn about your organisation. Provide regular engagement opportunities for management and employees to learn from each other.
Once your trial has been completed, working with with your academics, compile and finalise your results. Review the results and your legal advice. Ensure you are aware of what were the key levers for productivity improvements and what areas need further work.
Launch a permanent new workplace using the lessons you have learnt from your trial.
Whether you choose a 4 day week, reduced hours, or flexible hours, be prepared to adjust according to the needs of your business as its grows or changes.
Communicate with management and employees on its ongoing performance and other outcomes, creating a feedback loop to continually improve on your workplace goals and outcomes.
Learn from our experience
We developed ‘Guidelines for an outcome-based trial – raising productivity and engagement’. This free white paper was produced in association with Coulthard Barnes, Perpetual Guardian, The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and MinterEllisonRuddWatts.
Need help setting up your own 4 day week pilot?
Get in touch with 4 Day Week Global for assistance.