A large-scale study of a four-day workweek in the UK has yielded groundbreaking results. An overwhelming majority of the 61 companies that participated in the trial from June to December last year said they would stick to the shorter workweek, and most employees said they were less stressed and had a better work-life balance.
Data released on Tuesday last week by non-profit 4 Day Week Global and British researcher Autonomy showed that 91 percent of participating companies have either permanently adopted or planned to continue the four-day schedule post-trial, and a further 4 percent said they were inclined toward continuing, with just 4 percent definitely not continuing the practice.
The trial — which covered 2,900 employees across sectors ranging from banking and information technology to retail and consultancy — found that productivity was maintained while revenue increased. Employees embraced improved well-being and work-life balance, and therefore were much less likely to quit their jobs. Not surprisingly, employees reported falling rates of burnout and fatigue, while problems with sleep also declined.
The results are encouraging for companies struggling to find talent in the post-COVID-19 era. They reflect global trends as employers strive to explore workplace flexibility, and employees place more value on quality of life after the dramatic workplace changes experienced in the three years of the pandemic.
Moreover, the millions of people who worked from home during the pandemic began to question the need for them to sit in an office five days per week, and discussions about remote or hybrid work have become more frequent. However, despite a rising focus on work-life balance, along with similar four-day week studies taking place across Western countries, the reality remains that few employers worldwide are considering any reduction in the workweek.
A move in Taiwan to a four-day week, with no change to salary or benefits, also does not appear to be imminent. The nation only began a five-day workweek policy in 2017, and opposition would be expected from small and medium-sized enterprises, which comprise 99 percent of all Taiwanese businesses.
Another obstacle would likely be found in export-oriented businesses if they remain reliant on contract manufacturing to meet global clients’ needs, which would be difficult to maintain with a workforce scheduled for four days per week.
Even so, the pandemic has provided an opportunity for many to rethink the value of work and reconsider their quality of life. Many studies have shown that working hours are inversely proportional to productivity, and hybrid work could help boost employee satisfaction and output. That is because a greater flexibility in work enables employees to have enough rest, enjoy life more and thus focus better when at work. The flexibility would not only be good for employees, it would also benefit employers, mostly in the recruitment of top talent.
Regardless of the advantages and disadvantages of work flexibility, and no matter whether the four-day week is coming in Taiwan, there have been reports that workplaces have undergone dramatic changes since the pandemic. These changes represent a shift in the demand and supply of labor in a way that moves the economy forward — something that should not be underestimated.
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