4-day work week: discover the benefits of this modality
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2024 5:49 am
The 4-day work week has become increasingly popular worldwide. In Portugal, some companies have implemented this way of working and have seen results in employee performance and satisfaction, without experiencing a drop in productivity. Discover the main advantages of working only 4 days a week!
What is the 4-Day Work Week?
Instead of the usual 5 working days per week, company employees can work just 4 days a week. In reality, there is a reduction in weekly hours, but without any loss of pay.
Typically, a 4-day work week with 3 days off involves an effective reduction mint database working hours without loss of pay and monitoring the impact on productivity, well-being, satisfaction and motivation, and talent attraction and retention. It is more common for companies to choose one more day of the week for rest (usually Monday or Friday), but there is also the option of half a day (Monday morning or Friday afternoon) and one less hour on the remaining days of the week. Find out how to implement a 4-day work week in your company!
Advantages of the 4-Day Work Week
The benefits for employees are obvious: with fewer working days, they can enjoy more time for leisure and to take care of personal matters, which naturally leads to greater motivation in carrying out their professional tasks. Ideally, companies benefit from a more motivated team, with an equal or higher level of satisfaction and productivity. We have listed 8 advantages for employees and companies:
1. Cost reduction
One less day of work considerably reduces administrative expenses such as water, energy and consumables in the office. Maintenance of the spaces themselves will be reduced, as there is also less wear and tear on equipment and facilities.
2. Lower absenteeism rate
With an extra day, it is easier to manage personal and family commitments and have time to rest, meaning employees tend to be absent from work less frequently.
3. Efficient time management
With a four-day work week, it is necessary to better organize tasks and the time allocated to each one. Therefore, there is a tendency for employees to better manage their work time, avoiding less productive tasks, such as unnecessary meetings, excessive breaks or irrelevant distractions.
4. Better team collaboration
As there is a greater focus on task efficiency, a closer environment is created between coworkers, which allows them to avoid useless discussions and focus on the company's objectives that the team must achieve.
5. Greater employee productivity
Working long hours does not mean greater productivity, so achieving all of the week’s goals in 4 working days can be more beneficial. When employees are physically and mentally more rested and can take care of various tasks during their free time, they naturally become happier and more productive at work.
6. Work-life balance
This is probably the most talked about advantage of the 4-day work week. Having a more balanced schedule in terms of work and rest allows each employee to take care of their personal relationships in a more meaningful way and dedicate more time to parental and family responsibilities. The positive impact on employees’ mental health is high and the risk of stress and burnout is drastically reduced.
7. Employee satisfaction
With less stress, a better work-life balance and a great work environment, employees perform their duties in a happier and more enthusiastic manner. As a result, when they start their workday, they are more motivated, more creative in problem-solving and maintain a calm and tolerant environment.
8. Environmental benefits
Working fewer days a week and commuting less often reduces the planet's carbon footprint. Water, electricity, air conditioning and other resources are preserved because they are not as necessary.
What is the 4-Day Work Week?
Instead of the usual 5 working days per week, company employees can work just 4 days a week. In reality, there is a reduction in weekly hours, but without any loss of pay.
Typically, a 4-day work week with 3 days off involves an effective reduction mint database working hours without loss of pay and monitoring the impact on productivity, well-being, satisfaction and motivation, and talent attraction and retention. It is more common for companies to choose one more day of the week for rest (usually Monday or Friday), but there is also the option of half a day (Monday morning or Friday afternoon) and one less hour on the remaining days of the week. Find out how to implement a 4-day work week in your company!
Advantages of the 4-Day Work Week
The benefits for employees are obvious: with fewer working days, they can enjoy more time for leisure and to take care of personal matters, which naturally leads to greater motivation in carrying out their professional tasks. Ideally, companies benefit from a more motivated team, with an equal or higher level of satisfaction and productivity. We have listed 8 advantages for employees and companies:
1. Cost reduction
One less day of work considerably reduces administrative expenses such as water, energy and consumables in the office. Maintenance of the spaces themselves will be reduced, as there is also less wear and tear on equipment and facilities.
2. Lower absenteeism rate
With an extra day, it is easier to manage personal and family commitments and have time to rest, meaning employees tend to be absent from work less frequently.
3. Efficient time management
With a four-day work week, it is necessary to better organize tasks and the time allocated to each one. Therefore, there is a tendency for employees to better manage their work time, avoiding less productive tasks, such as unnecessary meetings, excessive breaks or irrelevant distractions.
4. Better team collaboration
As there is a greater focus on task efficiency, a closer environment is created between coworkers, which allows them to avoid useless discussions and focus on the company's objectives that the team must achieve.
5. Greater employee productivity
Working long hours does not mean greater productivity, so achieving all of the week’s goals in 4 working days can be more beneficial. When employees are physically and mentally more rested and can take care of various tasks during their free time, they naturally become happier and more productive at work.
6. Work-life balance
This is probably the most talked about advantage of the 4-day work week. Having a more balanced schedule in terms of work and rest allows each employee to take care of their personal relationships in a more meaningful way and dedicate more time to parental and family responsibilities. The positive impact on employees’ mental health is high and the risk of stress and burnout is drastically reduced.
7. Employee satisfaction
With less stress, a better work-life balance and a great work environment, employees perform their duties in a happier and more enthusiastic manner. As a result, when they start their workday, they are more motivated, more creative in problem-solving and maintain a calm and tolerant environment.
8. Environmental benefits
Working fewer days a week and commuting less often reduces the planet's carbon footprint. Water, electricity, air conditioning and other resources are preserved because they are not as necessary.