Back in the 1920s, Henry Ford implemented what we know as the 9 to 5 work week. The automobile giant noticed that when his employees were overworked, they were not as efficient as they could be. Over 100 years later, we are still working under the same model. Are we overdue for a new work design?
Enter the four-day workweek.
Phil McParlane, the founder of the 4-day workweek, shared the results from a 6-month study in the UK using this model. After the 6-month trial with 46 companies, 92% of employers kept the newly instituted plan. And these were not just any companies. Many notable organizations like Unity PR and Communications firm, Charity Bank and a few educational institutions along with various non-profits participated. And get this… its a shorter work week with no loss in pay.
The trial began in early 2022 seeking companies to participate. Relying on assistance from company owners who already implemented a shorter week as well as individuals who were working the four-day week, they provided each company with two months of coaching, preparation, mentorship, and workshops to ensure they were ready for a successful start.
The idea that working more equals working better is dead. Up until a few years ago, people working from home sounded crazy. But post-Covid it doesn’t seem like a bad option. And now the introduction of a shorter workweek? Here for it.
In a society where most will agree with the statement underworked and overpaid, so much that we have been deemed the most overworked developed country. And people are tired. With countries like Spain showing a bit of their feminist side by giving women the option to take off of work for that time of the month, the U.S. could take a cue from our UK friends and offer our citizens the opportunity to have a real work-life balance.
The study also showed an increase in revenue, a decrease in turnover rate as well as an increase in physical and mental health along with a decrease in burnout. So, um US of A…what are we waiting on?