06 Jun Should you shorten your business work week
Have you been thinking about implementing a shorter working week?
A four-day working week is an appealing facet to any future employee as it aligns with many individual work-life balances. Essentially a four-day working week is not losing any employment time as hours are still put in, however, the workload is compressed – but does it suit the needs of your business?
Who’s doing it?
The Netherlands has implemented this strategy with a four-day working week being almost standard, especially among working mothers. This Dutch Law promotes a healthy work-life balance and protects the part-time working employees with the nation’s workforce working an average of twenty-nine hours per week; the lowest number of hours in any industrialised nation (CNN Money).
Among the Netherlands, other European nations have implemented similar working flexibilities; including Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and many more. A common aspect of these nations is the increased popularity of work-share schedules.
Okay, so what are the pros?
The number one pro for any employee is the ability to have a long weekend with the same paycheque; this allows more time spent with family and handling other life responsibilities. As a business, you are more than likely to attract more qualified new hires as it’s a significant lifestyle benefit. Within your company, by gaining the same amount of working input in four days rather than five and closing on the fifth day, you can save on various facility costs.
Family Time
And the cons?
Compressing employees work into a ten-hour day, four times a week can take is a mental and physical toll. Depending on the style of your business and its requirements, an extra hour or two a day may be exceeding a person’s ability of physical stamina. With longer working days, even though for a shorter week, it can cause conflicts with roster scheduling, especially for employees who have to tend to their children after hours? Lastly, a shorter working week may also conflict with state and local labour laws and union contracts; therefore it is imperative to inquire before implementing this workplace strategy.
A shorter working week is not a strategy suitable for every business. Weighing out the benefits and downfalls, checking the legal requirements and listening to feedback from staff members is critical to successfully achieve this strategy.
Is a four-day work week right for your company?
Hubb Consultants can help you determine this by formulating workplace strategies to boost productivity and overall staff morale in your business.