4-Day Work Week: Is It Better for Employees & Companies?
When it comes to the modern, 20th-century workplace, there are a lot of changes happening as evidenced by the insights listed in our 2022 Salary Guide.
Remote work is on the rise, and more people are starting to question the traditional five-day week. So it’s no surprise that the idea of a 4-day workweek is becoming increasingly popular.
But does this actually mean shorter hours or less productivity?
Let’s take a look at what a four-day workweek could look like, why we’re here for it, and the moves we’re making as a company to eventually get us there.
Is the 4-day work week better?
It’s no secret that the traditional 9-5, five-day week isn’t ideal for everyone. In fact, recent studies have shown that working fewer hours per week can actually lead to more productivity. That’s why a four-day workweek is becoming an increasingly popular option for job seekers.
The benefits of a shorter workweek are not lost on U.S. government officials and as recently as December of 2021, legislation to reduce the five-day workweek from 40 hours to 32 was introduced through the “32-Hour Workweek Act.”
Still, some are pushing back on a shorter week as concerns over lost productivity drive arguments to continue with the traditional 40-hour workweek. But is clinging to the traditional idea of a standard workweek founded?
Do Americans work more than other countries?
Compared to other countries with similar economic breakdown and workforce standards, the United States works the most average hours per week.
Despite the number of hours Americans work, there is still a lot of debate over whether or not shorter hours actually mean less productivity.
To further drive this point here’s a breakdown of a study done by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) between 2017 and 2020:
But here’s the kicker — while the average hours worked per week in United States is highest on this list, Americans don’t rank AT ALL on the list of this comprehensive study measuring worker happiness by country.
And while we’re not data scientists, it’s not hard to connect the dots here, so we’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
Why four-day weeks are necessary
Shortening the workweek could be just what the doctor ordered for decreasing stress and improving productivity in the workplace. Iceland’s recent four-day workweek trials showed that a three-day weekend may be necessary for reducing employee stress levels and improving their overall mental health.
How does a 4-day work week potentially benefit companies?
1. Increased flexibility and freedom
This is especially beneficial for parents who need to balance work with family obligations.
2. Reduced stress levels and improved mental health
It turns out that not being overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list means feeling less stressed out and overworked. Go figure.
3. More time to spend with family and friends
This is especially important in the digital age when connecting in-person is becoming more and more difficult.
4. Less fatigue and burnout
Fewer working hours leads to a reduction in burnout and exhaustion.
5. Increased productivity
As we’ve mentioned there have been numerous trials and studies that prove that more hours worked is not a strong indicator of productivity.
6. Improved work-life balance
This is key for improving worker morale and reducing high worker turnover in the workplace.
If you’re on the fence about making the switch, consider all of the benefits listed above. A 4-day workweek may be exactly what you need to jumpstart your company morale and productivity.
Which countries have a 4-day work week?
It’s no secret that the United States is far behind when it comes to shorter workweeks, though some companies are starting to make the change. To help paint the picture let’s look at other countries that have adopted a shorter workweek.
Scotland launched a trial four-day workweek to reduce their hours by 20% without taking a hit to their pay. While the trial is ongoing, results have been promising.
Spain also announced that it would experiment with a four-day workweek over a 3-year trial period without cutting pay. The Spanish government is even going so far as to make up the difference in salary to cut down on employer risk.
Iceland, ranked #2 on the list of countries with the happiest workers, enjoys a four-day schedule and, as a result, there was a reduction in worker burnout.
Is a 4-day work week beneficial?
A four-day workweek has a lot of benefits for employees and employers alike. From decreasing stress levels to improving productivity, there are plenty of reasons why both small and large businesses should consider transitioning away from a five-day week.
If you’re on the fence about giving it a try, do your own research and take a look at some of the studies that have been conducted on this topic.
The evidence is clear – a shorter workweek can lead to happier, healthier employees who are more productive overall.
How Mondo is making moves toward a 4-day workweek
Leadership buy-in
Major systemic change is hard to come by without the support of the people up top which is why Mondo’s President, along with the backing of the executive team, is pushing for it to happen by empowering those in the company to innovate ways to get us there.
Implementation of Flex Fridays
Offering flexible schedules like this helps in getting everyone in the mindset of having a 4-day work week to ease the transition away from a strict two-day weekend.
Results-focused management style
Mondo focuses on the results a person gets in their workweek rather than the number of hours per week worked. Period.
Ongoing training enhancements
Our training shifts along with the evolving landscape and the needs of our team. We aim to give our people the tools, resources, and support they need to be efficient enough to hit their goals in fewer hours.
People-first company culture
Mondo places a strong emphasis on employee fulfillment, happiness, and mental health — and since studies show that a shorter week helps to promote all of these at once, we’d be silly not to work towards getting there ourselves.
Staying ahead of the curve
Mondo prides itself on being on the cutting edge of employment industry trends and injecting that into our strategies and relationships with our clients. Because we know that a 4-day work week has proven to be beneficial, we hope to be early adopters to this trend.
Is your business ready to make the change?
At Mondo, we believe in the power of a four-day work week. We’re not there yet, but we are working hard to get there by giving our employees autonomy to achieve their results and by implementing Flex Fridays as a means to get ahead of the week to come — and we want you to be part of it.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to join a team that is passionate about changing how work works, take a look at our current job openings. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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With an expansive, connected network of the top IT, Tech, Creative, and Digital Marketing professionals and a proprietary process, Mondo can match you with the hard-to-find, specialized talent you need.
- Contact Mondo today for all your hiring needs
- Download our 2022 Salary Guide for detailed salary breakdowns for roles & jobs across the technology, creative & digital marketing industries
