What is a 4-day work week?
A four-day work week is a model in which employees complete their weekly workload over four days instead of five. The goal is to maintain or improve productivity while providing staff with an additional day off. While some companies reduce the total number of hours worked, others implement compressed schedules where employees work longer days to meet full-time requirements.
What are 4 day work week hours?
A 4-day work week typically consists of up to 32 working hours instead of the standard 35–40 hours. When moving to this model, some businesses keep salaries the same, while others reduce the pay in line with the new hours. The specific approach varies by industry and employer, making it important to assess which structure best suits your business needs.
It’s important to note the difference between a four-day work week and compressed hours, which are similar but subtly different models. In companies using compressed hours, employees work 35–40 hours over four days. This means that each workday is longer but employees work fewer
Benefits of a 4-day work week
While implementing a four-day work week requires careful planning, the potential benefits can make it an attractive option for businesses looking to improve efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Reduces downtime
Reducing the number of working days can lead to more focused and productive work. Instead of spreading tasks over five days, employees can concentrate their efforts into four, minimising wasted time. This can contribute to a better employee experience, as workers feel more motivated and focused on their responsibilities.
Boosts employee engagement
Employees who work fewer days often feel more valued, leading to higher engagement levels. A structured four-day model encourages staff to be more efficient, knowing that they will be rewarded with an extra day off. Tracking employee engagement metrics can help businesses to measure the impact of this change on the workforce.
Saves costs
For businesses that implement a true 32-hour week, payroll expenses might remain the same, but operational costs such as electricity, office supplies and facility maintenance could decrease due to the reduced time employees spend at work. Additionally, by improving efficiency, companies may experience higher output with lower expenses.
Attracts and retains talent
A four-day schedule is an attractive perk for job seekers and can help businesses to stand out in competitive job markets. Recruitment techniques that highlight this benefit can further support talent acquisition by placing this perk at the centre of the offer. A shorter working week can also reduce turnover rates and increase loyalty, helping to retain employees for longer.
Supports employee wellbeing
Businesses that prioritise employee mental health and wellbeing often see increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. 4-day work week hours can help employees to achieve a better work-life balance, positively impacting their mental and physical health. More personal time can lead to lower stress levels, higher job satisfaction and improved overall happiness, all of which contribute to greater levels of efficiency.
Disadvantages of a 4-day work week
While the benefits of this model are compelling, there are several disadvantages of a 4-day work week that businesses should consider before making the transition.
Employees work longer hours
If businesses opt for a compressed schedule rather than reducing hours, employees will be required to work longer days. This could have the opposite of the desired effect, leading to fatigue, reduced productivity and lower job satisfaction. Encouraging a healthy work-life balance and avoiding the dangers of a long-hours culture is crucial for keeping your employees happy and healthy.
Complicates employee scheduling
Implementing a four-day work week model may create scheduling challenges that could hinder performance and output. Effective workforce planning is essential for adjusting shifts, redistributing workloads and ensuring adequate staffing to avoid operational disruptions and minimise stress, particularly during the transition from a 5-day to 4 day work week.
Reduces customer support
For customer-facing businesses, having fewer working days may mean reduced availability for clients and customers. If employees are unavailable for an extra day each week, service levels could decline, potentially impacting customer satisfaction and retention.
Increases stress
While an extra day off sounds appealing, a compressed workload can create added pressure. Employees may feel rushed to complete tasks within fewer days, leading to higher stress levels and burnout. Implementing measures for workplace mental health can help to mitigate these risks and support employees through the transition.
Doesn’t address all issues
A 4-day work week isn’t a universal solution. While it offers many benefits, it may not resolve deeper issues such as workplace inefficiencies, low morale, or poor management. Alternative strategies, such as offering remote working options or flexible benefits, may be more effective in providing employees with choices that suit their needs.
Manage your employees effectively with PeopleHR
The four-day work week presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses. While the benefits of 4-day work week models include increased productivity, cost savings and improved work-life balance, the disadvantages of a 4-day work week include scheduling difficulties, longer hours and disruption to customer service. Careful planning is essential to ensure that this model is suitable for your business, and that you’re able to implement it successfully.
PeopleHR’s time and attendance software helps businesses to manage schedules, track working hours and monitor employee engagement, making it easier to implement flexible working arrangements. Whether you’re moving to a 4-day work week or sticking to a traditional model, book a demo or get in touch with our team today to see how our platform can support your workforce.
