Scientific American: Should Thursday Be the New Friday?
Over the summer Scientific American made its case for the work week consisting of four ten-hour days - or, from the perspective of employees, the weekly three-day weekend. I vote yes to this. Then again at my work I have ten hour days regularly anyway, so I think my company would lose more time than it would gain from 4-day initiative. How would this affect your work?
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My workdays aren't real work days. It's usually 50-55 hours a week spread out across all 8 days (what, there are only 7 you say?). I don't think this would affect me in any way shape or form.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I know of a number of places that have converted to the 4-day workweek with mixed results. For example, my father's workspace did so 3-4 years back, and all it resulted in was him working 40-45 hours over the "normal" workweek, and 3-4 hours on Friday to make sure things got out on time.
To me, the concept of a work week is foolish to begin with. I can't envision a single job that I'll ever have where I would argue that I need to be in the office 8-10 hours a day, 4-5 days a week. To me, as long as you get your shit done, work as many hours as you want, and whenever you want.
I think the workweek needs to be fixed but I'm not sure a standardized four day workweek is the way. For example, I'm hoping as businesses go online more and more they start realizing that working remotely will have to be adopted, that some people are more productive in the evenings and not at 8AM, or that some people would like to pick up a midday class somewhere. I don't think a one size fits all solution is going to work.
ReplyDeleteYou both make good points. Obviously it's super dependent on the type of work too - if your job has to do with light manufacturing or something along those lines, a 4-day workweek might make sense in some cases since you are simply getting those 40 hours to work on the project.
ReplyDeleteIn real estate I find I can get a ton more done in an office with everyone around, so being available from the 9-5 period daily is key. Of course part of the time I'm also out at properties, so that doesn't need to be as structured. And working on financial info or spreadsheets I can do remotely, like you say Caitlin.
Way to choose a side flip-flopper
ReplyDeleteI choose the side of just being flexible and getting your stuff done. Progress never rests
ReplyDeleteSo, you choose my side...I win!
ReplyDelete