Would you like a 4-day Work Week?
An astounding 70% of workers strongly believe that flexible working would make a job more attractive to them.
Despite this, it is surprising how only a few companies offer flexible working hours.
At some point, productivity decreases as the number of hours worked increases. Expecting each employee to reach their peak performance during the 9-5 jobs is a bit too ambitious.
Thus, making 32 hours the norm instead of 40 can lead to improved well-being for workers without losing Productivity for businesses.
A flexible work schedule and a shorter workweek bring a host of benefits to your working environment.
Here are the top 3 benefits to encourage a more flexible working arrangement:
Increased Productivity enables employees to produce better results because it allows them to work when and where they are the most productive.
Better Employee Engagement - Employees are more likely to be happier when they have more control over their work hours. Thus offering flexible working hours will encourage happiness. And happy employees drive better business growth and profitability.
Increased Employee Retention - Due to the job satisfaction that flexible work schedules provide, flex workers are more likely to stick around even during hard times.
Wrong Approach
Many confused the concept of a four-day workweek with compressed hours. Employees expected to work 35 hours still but across four days will actually show decreased productivity levels, and it can also impact employees’ engagement, work-life balance, and overall happiness. A four-day workweek should consist of standard seven-hour workdays to achieve the desired effects.
What are the disadvantages of flexible hours?
FOR EMPLOYEES:
Difficult for office-based staff to work as effectively as telecommuting staff
Working from home may mislead loved ones about your availability
No clear dividing line between home and work
FOR EMPLOYERS:
Some employees may not work efficiently without supervision
Shorter workweeks may mean client availability suffers
Feelings of unfairness when only certain employees have work
Overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and a good manager can handle the burdens. Flexible work hours are the reality of modern business operations, and you can see an increase in productivity and business productivity as long as you set clear boundaries. If you are still hesitant, you can try out a flexible working schedule for a week or month and see if it works for your organization.
