From Balance to Fit: The Rise of 4-Day Workweek
5 MIN READ | Last Updated on 13 April 2024
BY: Kanchana Nirupamala (E223799)
Source: (NextMapping, 2023)
"Work hard, Play hard" was once the golden rule of success in
the workplace, but those days are over. Over the last several years, the idea
of work-life balance has transformed into a work-life fit. The groundbreaking
4-day workweek, which questions long-held assumptions about traditional work
norms, is often used as an example of this shift.
What is Work-Life Balance?
The term "work-life balance" refers to a state of
harmony in which one's professional and private lives are not too intertwined (Business News
Daily, 2024). It is a 50:50 balance between work and
personal life. However, the borders between one's professional and personal
life have become blurry due to technological advancements and increased remote
employment; thus, achieving a work-life balance is only sometimes possible.
What is Work-Life Fit?
A work-life fit exists when an individual's professional
and personal spheres are harmoniously integrated, enabling them to thrive (ElevateHER, 2024). It is all about flexibility. Work-life fit recognizes that life is
dynamic and that people's priorities change over time rather than aiming for a
static equilibrium. Integrating one's professional and personal lives in a way
that works for one's situation and goals is the key to this transformation (ShiftBase, 2024).
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Difference between Work-Life Balance and Work-Life Fit
Source:
From 5 Day Workweek to 4 Day Workweek
Assuming
workers need a routine to manage their time effectively, the 5-day workweek has
laid a foundation for work-life balance. Workers and employers alike
reevaluated the value of workplace flexibility and benefits after the COVID-19
outbreak, which renewed discussions about a four-day workweek. The premise is
straightforward: workers would put in the same amount of time and effort four
days a week for the same salary and benefits. (Gartner, 2023). Recognizing that the perfect work-life balance differs from person to
person and may evolve, the 4-Day Workweek aligns more with the notion of
work-life fit.
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Source: (The Nation, 2022)
Results are Promising!!
The new 4-workweek model has been most extensively tested
in the UK. In the largest trial ever conducted from June 2022 to November 2022,
more than 3,300 employees from 60 different UK organizations, spanning from
small mom-and-pop shops to multinational financial institutions, began working
a four-day week in 2022 without a reduction in pay. The participating
businesses committed to a significant shift in their workplace practices by
committing to give their workers a full salary while reducing their hours by
20%. Staff members promised to keep output constant at 100% in return
The four-day week was deemed a success by 100% of managers
and CEOs who participated in the follow-up poll. 82% said it positively
affected team morale, 50% decreased turnover, and 32% enhanced recruiting (Breathe, 2024).
Check this video for more insight on the UK Trial of the 4-day workweek model.
Other
countries that have implemented a day work week are Belgium, UAE, Iceland,
France etc. Microsoft Japan’s “Work-Life Challenge 2019 Summer" focused on
a four-day workweek to measure its effects on productivity, motivation, health,
and contentment in the workplace. The experiment went
well, with 94% of workers reporting favorable experiences, and 92%, to be
exact, were content with the four-day workweek
Source:
No one-size-fits-all ALL approach
YET! There are also challenges associated with the four-day
workweek. These can range from operational adjustments, workload management
within four days, meeting client expectations within a short time and regulatory
compliance, to name a few (Smart Working Revolution, 2024). First of all, there
is NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
A variety of methods should be thought of while introducing
a four-day workweek. Some companies, such as PwC and Kellogg, use summer
working hours where employees leave early on Fridays for up to five months of
the year. 90% of PwC employees surveyed in 2022 felt summer Fridays improved
their work environment, and 73% said it significantly affected their overall
health (HR Magazine, 2023). A 9/80 work schedule is another alternative. This two-week
schedule divides 80 working hours among nine days, typically eight nine-hour
days, one eight-hour day, and one day off (Indeed, 2023). Regardless of the method, what matters most is the work-life fit.
Questions to ponder by the HR department when implementing a four-day workweek:
To Conclude………………
The shift from a five-day workweek to a four-day paradigm marks a significant change in corporate culture, emphasizing work-life fit above balance. This reform recognizes the changing needs of people and the workplace, impacted by technology and a global trend towards more flexible work arrangements. Four-day workweek tests globally have improved morale, turnover, and output. However, implementing this approach is challenging, requiring the adjustment of operations or compliance with laws. Thus, a tailored plan that meets the company's and workers' needs is needed. Since one-size-fits-all is impractical, an adaptable HR strategy is required to implement the four-day workweek.
References
- 4 Day Week, (2023). What is Microsoft 4 Day Work Week? Plus Research Results. [Online]. Available at https://4dayweek.io/case-study/microsoft#:~:text=One%20of%20Microsoft%20Japan's%20test,time%20with%20family%20or%20friends. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- BBC News, (2023). World’s biggest four-day working week trial ends in success - BBC News. [Online]. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14qL_ol_zec/ Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- Breathe, (2024). A four-day work week: the pros and cons. [Online]. Available at https://www.breathehr.com/en-gb/blog/topic/employee-performance/the-four-day-work-week-productive-or-pointless#:~:text=Trials%20of%20the%20four%2Dday%20working%20week&text=100%25%20of%20managers%20and%20CEOs,32%25%20said%20it%20improved%20recruitment.Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- Business News Daily, (2024). How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance Today. [Online]. Available at: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5244-improve-work-life-balance-today.html. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- ElevateHER, (2024). Work-Life Fit. [Online]. Available at: https://zgelevateher.com/work-life-fit/. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- Gartner, (2023). The 4-Day Work Week, Explained. [Online]. Available at: https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/the-4-day-work-week-explained. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- HR Magazine, (2023). Summer Fridays: does your workplace need them? [Online]. Available at https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/summer-fridays-does-your-workplace-need-them/#:~:text=Summer%20working%20hours%2C%20where%20employees,including%20Kellogg's%2C%20Asos%20and%20PwC. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- Indeed, (2023). What Is a 9/80 Work Schedule? Advantages and Disadvantages. [Online]. Available at https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/80-work-schedule. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- NextMapping, (2023). How the Four-Day Work Week is Revolutionizing Workplaces. [Online]. Available at https://nextmapping.com/the-future-of-work-how-the-four-day-work-week-is-revolutionizing-workplaces-in-north-america/. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- ShiftBase, (2024). From Work Life Balance to Work Life Fit: The New Trend of 2024. [Online]. Available at: https://www.shiftbase.com/blog/work-life-fit#:~:text=Instead%20of%20striving%20for%20a,one's%20unique%20circumstances%20and%20aspirations. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- Smart Working Revolution, (2024). The challenges of the four-day week. [Online]. Available at https://smartworkingrevolution.com/the-challenges-of-the-4-day-week/. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- The Nation, (2022). The World’s Biggest Trial of a Four-Day Workweek Shows: It Works. [Online]. Available at https://www.thenation.com/article/economy/four-day-work-week/. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
- The Guardian, (2022). Thousands of UK workers to take part in four-day week trial. [Online]. Available at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/apr/04/thousands-of-uk-workers-to-take-part-in-four-day-week-trial. Accessed on 29 March 2024.
Overall, the blog offers valuable insights into the changing landscape of work-life dynamics and the potential benefits and challenges associated with adopting innovative work arrangements like the 4-day workweek. It's eye opening discussion.
ReplyDelete4 day workweek has several benefits as I mentioned but organisations should tailor these new concepts based on their requirements. Thank you Sameera for your comment!
DeleteGood attempt and nicely explaining.
ReplyDeleteThank you Geeth!
DeleteEven though my company has reduced our workweek to 4 1/2 days, the workload hasn't lightened up to match the decreased hours. To manage this, I focus on enhancing my performance and productivity. By sharpening my time management and prioritization skills, I can handle the demands efficiently, ensuring that the quality of my work remains high despite the reduced working hours. This approach helps me stay on top of my tasks and make the most out of the 4 1/2 days each week.
ReplyDeleteIt's impressive how you've adapted to the reduced workweek while managing the unchanged workload. Enhancing time management and prioritization skills is a smart approach to maintaining productivity and work quality.
DeleteYour blog provides a compelling argument for embracing change and rethinking traditional work structures in favor of a more inclusive and employee-centric approach. It serves as a valuable resource for organizations considering or in the process of implementing a four-day workweek, offering insights and guidance for navigating this transformative journey.
ReplyDeleteYes Are you in favour of 4 day workweek implementation in Sri Lanka?
DeleteThe shift from the conventional five-day workweek to a four-day paradigm is indicative of a rising understanding that work-life fit is more important than the more traditional notion of work-life balance. Despite ongoing implementation issues, it's amazing to observe how businesses are adopting this change and reaping the benefits.
ReplyDeleteagreed! for implementation issues organisations need to find out what's best for them based on specific needs and wants
DeleteThe rise of the 4-day workweek has challenged traditional work norms and shifted the focus from work-life balance to work-life fit. Work-life balance refers to a 50:50 balance between professional and personal lives, while work-life fit involves harmonious integration of professional and personal spheres. The UK trial of the 4-day workweek showed positive results, with 82% of managers and CEOs stating it positively affected team morale, 50% decreased turnover, and 32% enhanced recruiting. However, there are challenges associated with the four-day workweek, such as operational adjustments, workload management, meeting client expectations, and regulatory compliance. To implement a four-day workweek, a tailored plan that meets the company's and workers' needs is needed, as one-size-fits-all approaches are impractical.
ReplyDeleteAgreed on one-size-fits-all approaches are impractical. Organisations need to find out what's best for them based on specific needs and wants
DeleteREPLY
The blog provides valuable insights of 4 day workweek which tend to embrace the changes. Burned will challenge the traditional work ethics. Well researched and informative.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gayathri!
Delete