A growing number of smaller companies are adopting a four-day workweek. Now the results of a recent trial at Microsoft suggest it could work even for the biggest businesses.
There’s been lots of research on this before; nearly universally productivity goes up when companies move to a 4 day week.
The problem is that this would lessen corporate control on people because they’d get one extra day off, and that’s not acceptable to conservatives. It’s the same as with demaning people not work remotely; it’s all about power
Cool, nice to see so many places taking this more seriously recently.
As someone who’s working 3 days a week (à 8h), I approve this. 😎
Software Engineer. IT “consultant” (actually just engineering). Company is quite goodwilled and they value sustainability (economic, social and environmental).
On one hand, I was lucky. On the other hand it was important to me, so I asked after 1.5 years there to reduce to 60%.
That’s awesome that you approached them for the adjustment and they accepted! Did your pay scale as well or remain the same if that’s not impolite to ask?
I’m a project manager in software and it’s lovely to know there are good places out there still. Thanks so much for sharing your positive experience!
I was lying in bed last night thinking about how great a 4 day work week would be and how it would allow me to actually accomplish things that I can’t today because Saturday becomes the day to do all the errands I can’t do during the work week and Sunday is a hybrid of chores, socializing, and relaxing… assuming I don’t have training or maintenance scheduled at my volunteer gig. Having a day where I can focus on a hobby or interest in a relaxing manner without other obligations lurking would be so delightful!
And while I recognize that people manage to do all those things and don’t have an issue with it, that’s great for them! I struggle thanks to being neurodivergent and that additional day not working each week would drastically improve my quality of life. I know this because when I take a Friday or Monday off, I’m able to do all the things I need and get the me time I also need to be a happy, healthy human.
My workplace implemented Summer Hours. I’m remote as is, but being remote and only doing 4 days a week? My friend I feel like I finally have time to do what neuro-typical do. Although I’m still not satisfied with 40 hour work weeks, this finally feels like what people described living to feel like. No more task initiation problems, less piling backlog of health things I never have the time or availability to schedule for. Glorious
So this from 2019, I wonder did they keep this up and did productivity stay at this level. I’m guessing there would be at least a slight dip after the initial enthusiasm but who knows.
Microsoft, for its part, says it will conduct another experiment in Japan later this year.
Cool.