Over the past few years, the workforce has changed drastically. While some embraced remote work and flexible hours, others have considered other options to remain competitive during a tight labor market. Recently, we asked our readers if they would support a four-day workweek, and the results are eye-opening!
With 86% of the votes, the top answer to the monthly poll was overwhelmingly “Yes,” while only 14% said they wouldn’t support a shortened workweek.
Of those who responded to the poll, 65% answered the follow-up prompt, “Tell us why you believe a four-day workweek would or would not work for your company.”
Here are a few of their responses:
- “Flexible scheduling, remote options, and the potential for a four-day workweek have been areas of innovation and ways to help create more balance between work and personal/family commitments. Also, support overall wellbeing and to boost morale, loyalty, and prevent burnout.”
- “Employees would be happier with the home life/work balance. Everyone could benefit by one day less commute. More money in gas savings, wear on autos. Staggered shifts could eliminate any business having to close on the fifth day. ‘Scheduling and rescheduling.’”
- “Currently, I’m working from home on Fridays. It really does not decrease the workload nor production. I work longer hours when working from home.”
- “We can always have staff work different days of the week so that all the traditional workdays are covered. The additional day would allow staff to truly have time for themselves. Many staff do extra work in the evenings and on the weekend. Having two days ‘off’ isn’t really two full days because the demands of the job are so great. “
- “Having one extra day for homelife would help mental well-being.”
- “We would be open Monday through Friday. The four-day work week would be staggered amongst employees. Very important tool for employee retention. Creates more of a work life balance.”
- “Employees would love this, and it would give everyone more time for themselves. The only challenge would be rotating schedules because our business would still need to be open five days a week. That being said, having a rotating schedule could also allow us to be open seven days a week and substantially increase our production output.”
For more information on time management and productivity, check out these articles from Refresh Leadership!
- The 4-Day Work Week and Other Ways the Workforce Is Changing
- Avoiding Burnout: A Healthy Personal Life Can Ensure Emotional Longevity at Work
- The Benefits of Remote Work
- Flexible Work Hours, Location, and Shortened Work Week Top Requested Benefits That Most Companies Don’t Offer
- Maintaining Structure with a Flexible Workforce
- Remote Workforce: To Bring or Not Bring Them Back, That Is the Question
How do you help promote a healthy work-life balance? As a leader, what are you doing to implement policies that help reduce burnout? Let us know in the comments section below!
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