The Next Big Idea Daily

Why the Five-Day Workweek No Longer Makes Sense

16 snips
Jan 19, 2026
Join Jared Lindzon, a journalist focusing on the future of work, and Joe O'Connor, a work redesign researcher, as they make the compelling case for a four-day workweek. They discuss how this shift can enhance productivity and well-being, backed by real-world trials. Joe Sanok, a psychologist and author, shares insights on optimizing work habits and introduces his framework for implementing a shorter week. They explore the historical roots of the five-day workweek and reveal how grassroots movements can drive meaningful change in workplaces.
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INSIGHT

Workweek Is A Historical Construct

  • The five-day workweek is an inherited industrial-era convention, not a scientific necessity.
  • Jared Lindzon argues we can redesign work to fit modern knowledge economies rather than factory schedules.
INSIGHT

Hours Don't Equal Knowledge Productivity

  • Measuring productivity by hours fits assembly lines but not knowledge work.
  • Joe O'Connor links future productivity to human effectiveness plus digital efficiency, not time logged.
ADVICE

Use The Short Week To Drive Redesign

  • Design a four-day week thoughtfully with process changes and tech adoption, not just an extra day off.
  • Use the shortened week as an incentive to overhaul workflows and adopt tools that boost output by 20%.
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