Research has proven that not only is it possible for a company to have a four-day workweek without sacrificing productivity, but most employees prefer it. Many of them have to work longer hours during those four days, but having an extra day off helps improve their work-life balance and makes the longer daily hours worth it.
A four-day workweek is still a relatively new concept in many industries, so implementing one for your business can be tricky. Here are a few tips that can help.
Make Sure It Suits Your Business
Not every business is well-suited to a four-day workweek. Some industries such as healthcare and customer service require someone to be present at all hours, and closing up for an extra day every week will hamper productivity. On the other hand, if you have a high-flexibility and high-responsibility culture, a four-day workweek is feasible. This means that it doesn’t matter where employees are when they’re doing their jobs or when they are working. If they meet their productivity goals in four days, there shouldn’t be any reason for them to work for a fifth day.
Set Your Productivity Goals
Set your productivity goals, then decide if it’s possible for your employees to meet them over four days. If you believe it is, then communicate clearly to your team exactly what you expect them to accomplish during a four-day workweek.
Get Feedback From Your Employees
A four-day workweek is really for the benefit of your employees, so ask them what kind of schedule they would prefer. Would they like Mondays or Fridays off, or would they prefer to choose what day they have free? Allowing employees to choose what day they want off gives them a lot more flexibility, which is a crucial factor for their satisfaction.
Try It Out First
The best way to know if you can switch to a four-day workweek is to give it a try. For example, you can start with “flex Fridays,” giving employees the option not to work on Fridays if they don’t have to. If all goes well for a month or so, and productivity doesn’t suffer, you can make the four-day week an official company policy for departments where it’s appropriate. Want to know more about the changing work culture? Learn why people are pivoting careers, here!
Whether you have a four-day workweek or a more traditional schedule, Accurate Placement can help you with all your staffing needs. Scheduling and other factors have an impact on company culture, learn more about it here! We have provided staffing and recruiting solutions for companies in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding areas since 1996, and we have placed thousands of candidates in a variety of industries during that time.
For more information about our staffing services in Phoenix, contact Accurate Placement today!