Do you think that a 4-day work week makes sense?
Naomi | Beeyond AI
26 replies
Every now and then we see some buzz around 4 day work week, with both startups and large companies testing it out. There are even researches conducted, most of which show positive results.
However, we are yet to see a mass adoption of the 4-day work week.
What do you think about the 4-day work week? And what do you think are the reasons for it not being adopted at a large scale?
Replies
Eddie Hsu@apolkingg8
Tasmap
Rather than how many days a week I work, I would like to see people to focus on how to measure the contribution. After that, we can get rid of these numbers.
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I think it makes sense because it accommodates many people's preferences. I'm glad to see it's having positive results, but I don't think a big change like this can happen overnight. The first reason is inertia—people are naturally hesitant to embrace change. Secondly, I'm not sure if these studies are comprehensive enough. Especially for blue-collar work, companies might push for lower pay for fewer hours, which would make it less appealing overall.
I think this could really help employees keep a good work-life balance, which is super important for staying productive and efficient at work. Balancing both sides can make a big difference in how well people do their jobs and feel overall.
@udaya_sri Right! The better you feel in life, the better you perform at work.
Hi @naomigarcia. In my view, the 4-day work week seems promising, as research and trials often show benefits like improved productivity and employee well-being. However, mass adoption is slow due to challenges like adjusting workloads, redefining business operations, and overcoming resistance from traditional work cultures. What do you think could be the biggest hurdle in shifting to a shorter work week for most organizations?
@dandelion_galleries I think that to many organizations, it's a risky move. Despite the studies showing positive signs, there is a chance that it can fail. And the top management would not want to take risk like that.
If any, the adoption is likely to happen from young startups. Let's see how things evolve here.
@naomigarcia I see, let’s see how things unfold!✨✨
Personally, I think a 4-day work week can make a lot of sense. However, I know it might not work for every job, especially those that need constant coverage. But overall, I believe it's worth exploring, as it could lead to happier and more focused employees.
A 4-day work week sounds great for better work-life balance, but maybe it's not widely adopted yet because companies are worried about productivity.
@hasanmahmood_ Indeed, it's a risky move for the companies and they won't make the move until they are really really sure.
I think a 4-day work week could make a lot of sense for some companies and roles if implemented well. Giving employees an extra day off each week to recharge and handle personal matters could boost productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction on the days they are working. The key is having clear goals, communication, and accountability to ensure the same amount of work gets done in fewer days. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, but for the right organizations and people, a 4-day week seems promising based on the experiments and studies done so far. Curious to hear others' thoughts!
@hugodominiccarmichael Indeed! It is very important to ensure that the same amount of work can be done in fewer days. Or else it's less likely to be adopted by many organizations.
If you are doing typical 9 to 5 job yes you need 3 days off from work, but if your profession is your passion then you can work 6 days, its all about interest.
@rayyan_jawed1 True. And I can foresee many freelancers and business owners working even 6 days, as it's their true passion in most of the cases.
in my opinion it make sense.
I think 4-day work week makes sense as it promotes better work-life balance and productivity, as studies have shown. The challenge lies in shifting traditional mindsets and restructuring workflows to maintain efficiency across industries. It’s an exciting concept that just needs more widespread trials to prove its value.
@muh_daffa Let's wait and watch how it unfolds!
Exciting times ahead!
Sunrise: Guided Journaling & Mindfulness
Personally, I don't think it makes a lot of sense. You need to put in the hours to stay competitive and communicate efficiently with other team members. At the end of the day, it's never about the work hours, but about the work itself - in other words, if you truly love what you do, you wouldn't mind coming in more than 4 days a week.
In many parts of Asia, people are still working 6 days a week.
@the_han_kim Well said! It's truly about whether or not you love what you do!
I wonder if maybe a 6-hour workday would be more beneficial instead of the 4-day workweek. On the one hand, it would reduce weekly hours a bit more, but we'd get rid of the least productive ones. Maybe more free/family time each day would be better for a work-life balance? It could also simplify work schedules.
@karl_mechkin That's a very interesting take. And certainly makes sense! I for one would prefer having shorter working hours every day. Also, since after 5~6 hours of work, we are completely drained out anyway. So, it might make sense to cut it completely at that point.
