Juliet Schor, an economist leading trials for a four-day work week, advocates for a radical shift in work culture. She shares compelling data from implementations in the US and Ireland, showing increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Schor discusses how a 32-hour work week, while maintaining five days of pay, tackles burnout and contributes to environmental sustainability. Her insights reveal the potential for companies and governments to collaborate towards a healthier work-life balance and a more sustainable future.
Implementing a four-day work week with no pay cuts can lead to reduced stress, increased job satisfaction, and better work-life balance.
Shorter work weeks can improve productivity, employee well-being, and address systemic issues like racism and sexism.
Deep dives
The Benefits of a Four-Day Work Week
The pandemic has increased anxiety and burnout in the workforce, leading to a growing interest in a four-day work week. Research shows that shorter work weeks with no cuts in pay can result in less stress, increased job satisfaction, and better work-life balance. Companies also benefit from lower turnover, reduced healthcare costs, and higher quality applicants. Government initiatives, such as those in Iceland and Sweden, have shown positive results with improved productivity and employee well-being. Adopting a four-day work week can address not only work-related challenges but also systemic issues like racism, sexism, and classism.
Work Reorganization and Increased Productivity
To make a four-day work week successful, companies need to reorganize work and eliminate less productive activities. This includes reducing meetings, shifting personal tasks to the off day, and leveraging technology for efficient communication. By focusing on productivity and prioritizing important tasks, employees can accomplish a similar amount of work in four days as they would in five. A government trial in Iceland demonstrated that reducing work time can improve physical and mental well-being while maintaining productivity and service quality.
The Relationship Between Work Hours and Productivity
Countries with shorter average work hours, like Norway and Denmark, have higher productivity compared to countries with longer work hours, such as the UK and Italy. While it may not be feasible for every industry, a four-day work week has been successfully implemented in various sectors, including tech, banking, marketing, and non-profits. Efforts to reduce work time can also contribute to addressing climate change by lowering commuting emissions and allowing individuals to make more sustainable choices in their daily lives.
The traditional approach to work needs a redesign, says economist Juliet Schor. She's leading four-day work week trials in countries like the US and Ireland, and the results so far have been overwhelmingly positive: from increased employer and customer satisfaction to revenue growth and lower turnover. Making the case for a four-day, 32-hour work week (with five days of pay), Schor explains how this model for the future of work could address major challenges like burnout and the climate crisis -- and shares how companies and governments could work together to make it a reality.