As 30 companies across the UK trial the 4 day (32 hours) work week, we may not have a say in the future of our office hours. Though many are looking forward to a three-day weekend, we can’t ignore the pressure missing a day may have on overall work efficiency. It’s important to note that the trial promotes reduced hours and not the number of days at work. Therefore, some companies will split the 32-hour week across all 5 days. We have listed some of the key advantages and disadvantages to help you understand this new work phenomenon.
Positives
Increased productivity
Reduced staff stress and burnout
Increased overall staff happiness
Reduced mental health concerns directly linked to the workplace
Increased work/life balance
Increased job applications for companies that offer fewer hours
Concerns
Impact on customer satisfaction- possible delays in customer communication due to reduced hours
May create inconvenient opening hours for customers- especially if an entire day is removed
Could increase health care shortages
Could increase pressure on hospitality industries
Overall, reduced hours appear to provide significant benefits to staff which in turn, increases overall productivity for the company. However, it is not without the risk of customer satisfaction. We believe further thought must be put into balancing opening hours and a positive customer experience.