This is a tricky one.
The results from the world’s largest four-day workweek trial have been shared, and it turns out the trial was quite effective.
The study was conducted in the United Kingdom over the course of six months and included about 2,900 employees across 61 companies. Due to the success of the trial, 92% of these companies will continue using the four-day workweek.
The trial resulted in a handful of benefits, most notably there was a reduced employee burnout rate (71% reported a decrease), an increase in productivity and performance, and a greater ability to balance work and home responsibilities (60% said it became easier). [1]
The study heralded a response from Bernie Sanders, who tweeted: “With exploding technology and increased worker productivity, it’s time to move toward a four-day workweek with no loss of pay. Workers must benefit from technology, not just corporate CEOs.” [2]
Generally, I think we are heading in the right direction.
As newer and more advanced artificial intelligence tools become available, it will lighten the workload of the average employee. We will almost definitely cross a threshold where these tools will be able to “pick up the slack” of an employee's extra day off because more will be getting done in the four days that the employee is on the clock.
Technology has created a world that is “always on,” meaning that people can reach you by text, email, or call at any hour of the day. It’s your choice to answer, but sometimes that choice isn’t so easy. Nobody wants to be reprimanded for missing a call from the boss.
Granted, this is not how it is at all companies. Most modern companies understand that by respecting the work-life balance and mental health of their employees, they will retain employees longer and therefore be more successful in the long run.
However, it’s up for debate whether this experiment will actually be effective once it is applied to an entire country. It might seem like a good idea when there’s 60 companies involved, but what will happen when there’s 600 or 6,000 or 60,000 companies involved? What are the macroeconomic implications of that?
And regardless, it will take longer for the four-day workweek to become a reality in the United States due to the workaholism that has become an inherent part of our culture. But, I do believe that this change will come eventually.
And when it does, be ready to ask yourself:
What will I do with another seventh of my life back?
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This is a tricky one.
The results from the world’s largest four-day workweek trial have been shared, and it turns out the trial was quite effective.
The study was conducted in the United Kingdom over the course of six months and included about 2,900 employees across 61 companies. Due to the success of the trial, 92% of these companies will continue using the four-day workweek.
The trial resulted in a handful of benefits, most notably there was a reduced employee burnout rate (71% reported a decrease), an increase in productivity and performance, and a greater ability to balance work and home responsibilities (60% said it became easier). [1]
The study heralded a response from Bernie Sanders, who tweeted: “With exploding technology and increased worker productivity, it’s time to move toward a four-day workweek with no loss of pay. Workers must benefit from technology, not just corporate CEOs.” [2]
Generally, I think we are heading in the right direction.
As newer and more advanced artificial intelligence tools become available, it will lighten the workload of the average employee. We will almost definitely cross a threshold where these tools will be able to “pick up the slack” of an employee's extra day off because more will be getting done in the four days that the employee is on the clock.
Technology has created a world that is “always on,” meaning that people can reach you by text, email, or call at any hour of the day. It’s your choice to answer, but sometimes that choice isn’t so easy. Nobody wants to be reprimanded for missing a call from the boss.
Granted, this is not how it is at all companies. Most modern companies understand that by respecting the work-life balance and mental health of their employees, they will retain employees longer and therefore be more successful in the long run.
However, it’s up for debate whether this experiment will actually be effective once it is applied to an entire country. It might seem like a good idea when there’s 60 companies involved, but what will happen when there’s 600 or 6,000 or 60,000 companies involved? What are the macroeconomic implications of that?
And regardless, it will take longer for the four-day workweek to become a reality in the United States due to the workaholism that has become an inherent part of our culture. But, I do believe that this change will come eventually.
And when it does, be ready to ask yourself:
What will I do with another seventh of my life back?
