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Do you think that a 4-day work week makes sense?
Every now and then we see some buzz around 4 day work week, with both startups and large companies testing it out. There are even researches conducted, most of which show positive results.
However, we are yet to see a mass adoption of the 4-day work week.
What do you think about the 4-day work week? And what do you think are the reasons for it not being adopted at a large scale?
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Muhammad Daffa Shiddiq
I think 4-day work week makes sense as it promotes better work-life balance and productivity, as studies have shown. The challenge lies in shifting traditional mindsets and restructuring workflows to maintain efficiency across industries. It’s an exciting concept that just needs more widespread trials to prove its value.
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Personally, I don't think it makes a lot of sense. You need to put in the hours to stay competitive and communicate efficiently with other team members. At the end of the day, it's never about the work hours, but about the work itself - in other words, if you truly love what you do, you wouldn't mind coming in more than 4 days a week.
In many parts of Asia, people are still working 6 days a week.
I wonder if maybe a 6-hour workday would be more beneficial instead of the 4-day workweek. On the one hand, it would reduce weekly hours a bit more, but we'd get rid of the least productive ones. Maybe more free/family time each day would be better for a work-life balance? It could also simplify work schedules.
@karl_mechkin That's a very interesting take. And certainly makes sense! I for one would prefer having shorter working hours every day. Also, since after 5~6 hours of work, we are completely drained out anyway. So, it might make sense to cut it completely at that point.
Hi @naomigarcia. In my view, the 4-day work week seems promising, as research and trials often show benefits like improved productivity and employee well-being. However, mass adoption is slow due to challenges like adjusting workloads, redefining business operations, and overcoming resistance from traditional work cultures. What do you think could be the biggest hurdle in shifting to a shorter work week for most organizations?
@dandelion_galleries I think that to many organizations, it's a risky move. Despite the studies showing positive signs, there is a chance that it can fail. And the top management would not want to take risk like that.
If any, the adoption is likely to happen from young startups. Let's see how things evolve here.
I think it makes sense because it accommodates many people's preferences. I'm glad to see it's having positive results, but I don't think a big change like this can happen overnight. The first reason is inertia—people are naturally hesitant to embrace change. Secondly, I'm not sure if these studies are comprehensive enough. Especially for blue-collar work, companies might push for lower pay for fewer hours, which would make it less appealing overall.
@edena Certainly, it's a whole different kind of issue with the blue-collar work. Nobody would want to have a paycut if that is what it leads to.
If you are doing typical 9 to 5 job yes you need 3 days off from work, but if your profession is your passion then you can work 6 days, its all about interest.
@rayyan_jawed1 True. And I can foresee many freelancers and business owners working even 6 days, as it's their true passion in most of the cases.
Personally, I think a 4-day work week can make a lot of sense. However, I know it might not work for every job, especially those that need constant coverage. But overall, I believe it's worth exploring, as it could lead to happier and more focused employees.
A 4-day work week sounds great for better work-life balance, but maybe it's not widely adopted yet because companies are worried about productivity.
@hasanmahmood_ Indeed, it's a risky move for the companies and they won't make the move until they are really really sure.