A study found a four-day work week can be great for an employee's mental health and lead to higher productivity. Nearly half of 3,000 employees in eight countries including the United States, thought they could easily finish their tasks in five hours a day if they did not have interruptions. Yet, Americans work the most overtime.
Culture Consulting Associates president and founder Joshua M. Evans said a four-day work week could be a very real possibility, as it's a growing trend in workplace flexibility.
“The five-day work week gives people time to spool up at the beginning of the week and then everybody usually uses Friday to taper off into the weekend,” said Evans.
The downside could be lowered productivity.
“So, when you switch to a four-day work week it’s going to be essential that your team is able to switch on and then back off quickly, so you don’t lose that productivity,” said Evans.
He said a four-day work week could get younger talent into an office. And, workplaces need to continue to evolve.
“Now in the age of remote officing and telecommuting, it’s not surprising that organizations are looking for additional ways to have the work blend seamlessly into the team’s personal lives,” said Evans.
Britain officials want a four-day week by the end of the century.
Athens ISD in East Texas, is moving to a four-day instructional week for the 2019-2020 school year—having Friday, Saturday and Sunday off.
Tesla’s Elon Musk recently drew criticism from a tweet to work more because “nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week.”