Robert Roy Britt

Would you prefer a 4-day workweek?

Last year, 61 companies in UK tested a 4-day week with 20% fewer hours. Results:

65% fewer sick days taken & 57% drop in departures to competitors.

39% of employees had less #stress; 71% had less #burnout.

Revenues rose 1.4% on average.

“Many questioned whether we would see an increase in productivity to offset the reduction in working time – but this is exactly what we found,” a study team member said.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/979991

#jobs #workplace #health

Working a four-day week boosts employee wellbeing while preserving productivity, major six-month trial finds

Research involving 61 UK organisations found a 20% reduction in working time with no loss of pay led to significant drops in workforce stress and sick days, an increase in worker retention, and a much better work-life balance for most employees – all while “key business metrics” were met.

EurekAlert!
Feb 21, 2023 at 2:19pmWeb
Show thread@BegoniaArizonaFeb 22, 2023
@robertroybritt how many of us do you imagine could live on a 20% reduction of pay?
Show threadRachel GreenhamFeb 22, 2023
@BegoniaArizona @robertroybritt this trial specifically involved *no* cut in pay, and demonstrated (to those needing the demonstration) that there was no loss - and often an increase - in performance.
Show thread@BegoniaArizonaFeb 22, 2023
@StrangeNoises @robertroybritt well congratulations to those on salary. For the millions of us on hourly, it’s a no go.
Show thread@BegoniaArizonaFeb 22, 2023
@StrangeNoises @robertroybritt how does that work for people living primarily on tips?
Show threadRobert Roy BrittFeb 22, 2023
@BegoniaArizona @StrangeNoises The study did not look at non-salaried work. All studies have to have limits, and you are right in saying this doesn't apply to people relying on tips (or gig workers, etc. etc.).
Show threadTom BarkasFeb 22, 2023
@robertroybritt @_L1vY_ Presumably all the companies they rely on would have to be working the same 4 days?
Show threadRachel GreenhamFeb 22, 2023
@tombarkas @robertroybritt @_L1vY_ the actual trial was about a reduction to a 32 hour week, but while that could be done by having five shorter days, the preference often is for four days But not everyone in the organisation needs to take the *same* day off. Some off on Mondays, some Fridays...
Show threadDontyFeb 22, 2023
@robertroybritt
In some ways it's 'bloody obvious' but even with harder evidence some bosses will be wanting to grind people to work. Combine fewer hours with WFH some days and you would have a workforce actually being efficient and capable. Less time more work.
Show threadPete Alex Harris🦡🕸️🌲/∞🪐∫Feb 22, 2023

@donty @robertroybritt
If the people doing the work are getting the same done in less time, the limiting factor was presumably motivation, wellbeing, etc.

Or it takes about the same amount of time for your subconscious to pop out the solution to a problem whether you're at a desk or not, so you might as well not be.

But I can see resistance from management due to the fairly obvious conclusion that the amount of time spent being managed wasn't a positive factor in productivity.

Show threadDontyFeb 22, 2023

@petealexharris @robertroybritt
I've seen individuals & teams put in enormous effort for specific important tasks but that's not sustainable.

Generally we only have a few really good hours of attention & focus in us each day & the rest descends further down to grind which is unimaginative and slow.

The quality of work is nearly always vital & if you get 6 hours of work from someone instead of 8, but the 6 hours has half the errors you have saved time.

Maybe the good ones will see it.

Show threadJorge StolfiFeb 22, 2023

@robertroybritt

However, this is a highly atypical time, when the world is trying to come back after the pandemic. It is pointless to do studies like this in these circumstances.

Show threadfriend-shaped entityFeb 22, 2023
@robertroybritt would be cool to see this replicated with a larger sample size. the statistics dont mean a lot with that small of a number.
Show threadIbexFeb 22, 2023
@robertroybritt that's great, but really productivity shouldn't have to rise due to work time reduction. Productivity has increased manifold since 40 h workweek was introduced and it's not more than right that workers get a part of that.
Show threadJeanO AppleseedFeb 22, 2023
@robertroybritt I had a 4/day week in one job a long time ago. Same number of hours. But the extra day made a huge difference. Same number of hours. Same amount of work or, likely, more!
Show threadPointlessSpikeFeb 23, 2023
@robertroybritt you say revenue rose 1.4%, but what does that compare to? How much would they normally rise?
Show threadRobert Roy BrittFeb 23, 2023
@PointlessSpike Fair question. I don't have that detail in hand right now, but the good news is revenue didn't fall. I'm aiming to dig deeper into the research for a full-on story next week.
Show threadJoe WelchFeb 23, 2023
@robertroybritt we started a 4-day work week trial at Turborilla about 6 weeks ago. So far it’s amazing. Life changing.
Show threadRobert Roy BrittFeb 23, 2023
@JoeWelch Hi Joe: I'm writing a feature story about the benefits of flex-skeds and shorter work weeks/hours, for Medium. Would you be interested in briefly answer a few questions about your experience? If so, please ping me at rob dot britt at gmail.