Wednesday Mar 29, 2023

How the 4-day Workweek Could Increase Employee Productivity

The 4-day workweek is an alternative work schedule that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Advocates of this schedule posit that it increases employee productivity and job satisfaction while reducing fatigue and employee turnover.

On the surface, the idea of a four-day workweek seems too good to be true: employees get more time for leisure activities and family obligations, while employers still get the same output as a traditional five-day workweek.

Proponents of the 4-day workweek cite various benefits. For one, they claim that when employees have more time to relax outside of work, they're more energized and motivated when they return to work, making them more productive.

From an employer's perspective, the 4-day workweek can lead to greater employee retention and engagement, which can ultimately increase revenue. Research shows that when employees are happy and engaged, they are more likely to stay with a company for longer and produce more work.

Employee morale is also increased when employers show that they value their employees' well-being by offering flexible work schedules and time off.

In this episode, Sommer and I are joined by Taryn Grey, a consultant at Jumpstart-HR, to explore the different flex hour arrangements and why employers should seriously consider them.

In the Consultants Corner, we talk about performance management in the workplace.

At its core, performance management is about creating goals and expectations, managing performance against those goals, and providing feedback to employees.

It is also an opportunity for employers to improve the employee experience and set up their teams for success.

Performance management is essential for creating a successful and productive work environment.

Tune in as we share some actionable tips on improving the various aspects of performance management, such as performance review, onboarding, and employee experience.

Key Takeaways

- The case for the 4-day workweek (02:32)

- How the 5-day workweek came into being (04:54)

- 4-day work week as a productivity and retention tool (06:27)

- Practical examples of flex hour arrangements (07:12)

- Complying with state-specific overtime laws (12:01)

- Onboarding and performance reviews (15:53)

- Improving the employee experience (18:50)

- Importance of the onboarding process (20:14)

- Set up your teams for success (22:43)

- Don't be afraid to work with experts (28:46)

Additional Resources