Do 4-day Workweeks Work?

Sunday, March 03, 2024

Dozens of companies who adopted a four-day workweek in 2022 share how it has affected the business and their employees one year later.

Posted by LampLighter at 04:33 PM | 14 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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More from the article...

... A four-day workweek may sound like a far-off dreamland, but a study out of the U.K. is proving it can be a long-term reality -- and a benefit -- for both businesses and their employees.

In 2022, 61 companies chose to move their employees to four-day weeks with no reduction in pay as part of the six-month study. One year later, 89% have continued the practice, and 51% have made it permanent for their businesses, according to the Autonomy research group.

But while employees get longer weekends, what's in it for their employers? Apparently, it's a better business, as 100% of managers and CEOs said the workweek shift still has a positive impact on their organization one year later. This comes as a result of happier workers, lower turnover rates and improved efficiency, the report says. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-03-03 12:45 PM | Reply

On the other hand, there's this...

Amazon hopes to avoid labor regulation by simply abolishing national watchdogs
www.theregister.com

... Amazon, currently locked in a legal battle with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the mega-souk's treatment of workers, is arguing the watchdog is unconstitutional. And it's not the only corporation testing that line of reasoning.

In a February 15 filing in response to a complaint about Amazon's alleged illegal retaliation against workers at a Staten Island warehouse, the e-commerce giant took aim at the government's authority.

Amazon's legal representative wrote, "The structure of the NLRB violates the United States Constitution's separation of powers and Amazon's due process rights under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution because the NLRB's Board Members concurrently exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers in the same administrative proceeding." ...

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-03-03 12:46 PM | Reply

"Amazon, currently locked in a legal battle with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the mega-souk's treatment of workers, is arguing the watchdog is unconstitutional"

Looks like another 6-3 decision is coming out way soon!

#3 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-03-03 12:50 PM | Reply

If they throw out Chevron they barely need to look at this case.

#4 | Posted by TaoWarrior at 2024-03-03 01:11 PM | Reply

Of course 4 day workweeks are a good step. 3 day workweeks are even better.

But that means the maximum hours for a full time job need to be changed to 24, and the minimum wage needs to be raised to at least $33/hour.

We can't really talk about a shortened workweek without talking about the whole package.

#5 | Posted by DarkVader at 2024-03-03 08:30 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

For a while I worked 10 hour days, with 3 days off andi loved it. The longer day helped me get more accomplished
, and The extra weekday was perfect for errands and medical appointments.

#6 | Posted by Miranda7 at 2024-03-03 11:43 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Also, be prepared to sacrifice most of your Leave.
There is no way that we would roll to a 3 day weekend and not
have to give up most of our earned leave. May not affect
people in jobs that give little leave, but in professional and/or
government positions with quite a bit of accrued leave, it will
be a big change. It would have to be closely monitored to see
just 'how much' leave is lost vs gained with a shortened work week.

#7 | Posted by earthmuse at 2024-03-04 06:27 AM | Reply

This is where I believe remote work can be leveraged from a theoretical standpoint. My industry does not have a 5 day work week. We don't have a 4 day work week. We have a "make sure our systems are available and secure" work week, which can mean working 5 days or working 7 days for more than 8 hours a day. But, I also enjoy an industry that can be done solely remotely. So, I'm happy for the 4 dayers. Let them relax an extra day. But don't pivot to fighting against remote work. There are positives and negatives to every industry. We should be supporting the positives across the spectrum instead of fighting for the positives that only impact our individual situations.

#8 | Posted by humtake at 2024-03-04 11:56 AM | Reply

With Republican help, Corporate America is doing all it can to tighten its grip on the wage slaves.

#9 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-03-04 12:49 PM | Reply

Ya'll can have fun with that.

0 day work weeks work much better for me thanks!

#10 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-03-04 01:24 PM | Reply

The one GS I work with does exactly this. He works M-Th from 7-5.

It's actually pretty common.

#11 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-03-04 03:07 PM | Reply

That was my schedule, (M-Th), but after I while I swapped with a coworker who had a travel ball kid and needed the long weekends more than I did. I started taking Wednesdays off, and that was pretty awesome too. Work Mon, Tues, do my own thing Wednesday, work Thu Fri and get a weekend off. Goodbye burnout.

#12 | Posted by Miranda7 at 2024-03-04 05:31 PM | Reply

Corporate America is doing all it can to tighten its grip on the wage slaves.
#9 | POSTED BY WHATSLEFT

How do you explain AB5 in CA?

#13 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-03-04 05:41 PM | Reply

It's actually pretty common.
#11 | POSTED BY MADBOMBER

I believe in government work it's common.

#14 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-03-04 05:42 PM | Reply