The Studies Show Episode 76: The four-day week
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Jun 17, 2025 Could you work 80% of your hours and still get paid in full? Discussion around the four-day workweek reveals intriguing potential benefits, including increased employee satisfaction and productivity. Various trials, including Microsoft's in Japan and Iceland's extensive study, showcase promising results, though some claims have been debunked. The podcast delves into historical shifts in work hours and the impact on talent retention. Ultimately, it questions whether the concept is a pathway to happier, healthier workplaces or just another overblown trend.
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Parkinson's Law and Productivity
- Parkinson's Law suggests work fills up the time allotted, leading to procrastination.
- Four-day weeks may increase productivity since workers avoid wasting time and focus more efficiently.
Diminishing Returns on Hours
- Reducing working hours often reduces output but less than proportionally due to diminishing marginal productivity.
- Overworking leads to exhaustion and lower efficiency, making shorter weeks potentially more productive.
Fatigue Multiplies Error Risk
- A thought experiment with three obstetricians shows fatigue drastically increases error risk.
- The risk of mission failure jumps eightfold when tired, highlighting costly mistakes from exhaustion.
