Since the twentieth century UK employees have been expected to work a total of forty hours a week. Working eight hours a day, five days a week is considered natural to most people and a vast improvement on the 12 hour, 6 day week prior to that. However as times change so do companies thoughts on how many hours an employee should work per week.
Many companies are opting to allow their employees to work a four day week – instead of the now considered – traditional five. These companies believe that a shorter working week increases productivity levels in the workplace and therefore leads to an improved working environment.
However there are still some companies who remain unconvinced. Detailed below are three reasons why a four day working week would be beneficial to both employers and employees.
Improved work-life balance
In today’s world, employees can struggle with finding an acceptable work-life balance. Working long hours, five days a week, often impacts on the quality time parents spend with their children. Employees who don’t have parental commitments can also experience time intrusions on their out of work activities and social commitments.
Allowing your employees to work a four day week provides them with more personal time, giving them the chance to be more focused and productive.
Parents can spend more time with their children and family life. Employers, who are flexible on which day an employee takes off, allow both parents the opportunity to spend equal amounts of time with their children, as alternate days can be had away from the workplace.
Employees without children can also use extended weekends to participate in out of work activates such as hobbies. A longer weekend gives staff more time to relax, meaning employees are more likely to come into work on a Monday feeling refreshed and enthusiastic.
More Productive Employees
Companies often assume that having a four day week will significantly impact the amount of productive work from employees. This however is not known to be correct. Employees are more aware they have less time to complete their weekly tasks and therefore they become more focused and productive. Most employees will no longer waste time checking emails or interacting on social-sites and re-direct their attention on to completing the essential tasks in the given time.
A longer weekend also provides employees with the ability to completely switch off from work and concentrate on relaxing and revitalising.
Ultimately this leads to happier more productive employees.
Increase employee retention
Employee retention is vital to running a successful organisation. Every company wants to retain their best employees, their skills and knowledge. Losing essential members of the workforce can not only impact businesses negatively but is often costly. Attracting replacements can be a long, tedious and costly process and will generally have an effect on productivity and quality whilst new employees are up-skilled.
Ultimately – providing your employees with a four day week option is a positive way to incentive your employees to stay with the company. It makes your organisation more appealing over your competitors when it comes to recruiting for new employees. A four day working week can also act as an alternative to pay-increases or staff bonuses – improving your businesses bottom line.