Benefits of the Four-Day Workweek
The benefits of the four-day workweek are clear: employees can enjoy an extra day off without the stress of commuting. However, the employee is not the only one who benefits from a shortened workweek.
Many studies indicate various advantages such as reduced stress, increased productivity, improved employee satisfaction, and greater engagement. Giving up an extra day of work each week poses a significant barrier for good employees when considering a move to a new company.
Drawbacks of the Four-Day Workweek
First, the four-day workweek is not suitable for all companies and certainly not for all employees. If your clients expect to find people available five days a week, having an employee unavailable every Friday might cause issues.
The four-day workweek can make childcare more difficult. Many daycare centers and after-school care programs operate under the assumption that parents work from 8 AM to 5 PM. They do not open at 6 AM or stay open until 8 PM to accommodate an unusual schedule for a parent.
People may feel refreshed by having an extra day off each week, but they may also experience a drop in productivity after working long hours in one day.
In the case of an exempt employee who has an alternative schedule while others work the traditional Monday to Friday schedule, this person may feel pressure to attend meetings or respond to messages on their day off. This is unfair, but you need to evaluate whether the alternative schedule negatively affects the team of the employee.
You must remember that you have to pay the non-exempt employee for any overtime they put in outside of the four-day workweek.
Should You Implement the Four-Day Workweek?
The answer really depends on the needs of your company and the desires of your employees. If you have an employee requesting to work four days a week, it makes sense to consider whether it will work for that person in that role.
You might be able to try a trial run for a few months to see how it works for you. Flexibility is a benefit many employees seek from an employer, and having this option makes you more attractive to many job seekers.
Conclusion
But before you change your company’s work schedule, make sure that it will make your business more productive and your employees happier. Otherwise, the four-day workweek is not worth the change.
Susan Lucas is a freelance journalist specializing in human resources. Susan’s work has been featured in prestigious publications including Forbes, CBS, Business Insider, and Yahoo.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/benefits-and-drawbacks-four-day-workweek-4158304
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