On March 15, Spain announced they are putting forth a request to trial a four-day working week for companies that were interested. This plan was the brainchild of leftwing Spanish party Más País, who along with this plan is proposing a reduced work week of 32 hours.
This is not the first time countries have talked about it, but it seems to be the first time countries are truly serious in taking action to improve people’s lives, gain productivity, and give people more time. In fact, New Zealand and Germany have been talking about similar plans.
One of the main goals of putting such plans into action is to actually increase productivity. While that may sound like an oxymoron, there are a number of studies that point out that sometimes less is indeed more. Some advantages include:
- Employees feel more refreshed and rested. Like the very best athletes, rest is often times as important as practice
- Since employees may be happier, that likely equals more positive day-to-day relationships with colleagues
- Because they are happier and have more energy and are spending more time with family or friends, they often feel more purpose in their lives, which may lead to less turnover
COVID-19 Has Helped to Force Change on Numerous Social Issues
As the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on numerous social issues, it has also made people and companies more willing to change. Proponents of a reduced work week speak not only about the increase in productivity, but also how it could play a key role in improving mental health of workers, fighting climate change with, for example, less driving to work as more people are working from home, and general physical health and wellness. This could also help with potential burnout, stress, and depression.
“Spain is one of the countries where workers put in more hours than the European average,” said Iñigo Errejón of the Más País party, as quoted in The Guardian. “But we’re not one of the most productive countries. I maintain that working more hours does not mean working better.”
So you might ask, what are the negatives? That may not be easily understood until more data is gained. But here’s a view I’m sure some owners and operators of companies may agree with: “Getting out of this crisis (recessions, pandemic) requires more work, not less,” pointed out Ricardo Mur of CEOE, one of Spain’s main business associations.
Regardless of where you sit on this debate, it got me to thinking: why don’t countries do a better job of innovating? They often look to companies to do it for them (think of Tesla’s role in helping to change views on electric cars). In this case, if a number of countries band together and try this plan, the results may be groundbreaking. I think if you give employees 4 days to work, even if that may mean working between 8-10 hours per day (longer than a typical work day), many would take it. And many would likely thrive.
The 4-Day Work Week Campaign
There is a 4-day work week campaign that is gaining some traction in the UK. “Clearly the way that we work is making people stressed, burned out, overworked and causing massive workplace and mental health issues,” said Joe Ryle of the 4-Day Week Campaign. “The four-day week would be good for the economy, good for workers and good for the environment. What’s not to like about it?”
Everyone seems too busy these days. While technology was supposed to improve things, and it has, it has also filled up any free time, or gobbled it up as the lines blur between work and home life. In some cases, it’s caused more work. Imagine giving people an extra day to spend outdoors working on their garden? An extra day simply reading or working out? Maybe even pulling the kids out of school once in awhile and spending more time with them. Imagine spending a Friday you have off with aging and retired parents or loved ones?
A refreshed employee, much like a fresh, well-rested athlete, is usually happier and better able to perform. And a happier employee (or athlete) who is performing well will also be more positive to be around, which helps culture. It’s a positive cycle. And it may be something countries like Canada and the U.S. consider. This should be something countries take the lead on and pilot. If ever there was a time for such change, I’d say one year into a pandemic – when people may need a jolt of energy and positivity – might be a good time to at least consider or test such change.
What do you think? Do you think you or your employees would be more or less productive with a 4-day work week? Would it help or hurt the economy? Should countries have a leading role in this push?
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