A four-day-week cycle has proved more effective than a five-day cycle, according to scientists who did a six-month trial that started in February last year. The researchers did this as part of a campaign to shorten the working week, calling it the four-day week movement.
Owners of 33 companies with employees in six countries decreased their employees’ workload to four days, or 32 hours a week, as part of the half-year study. The aim was to see whether the employees could be just as productive 80% of the time while earning the same money as before.
The six-month trial’s results were overwhelmingly positive, said the 4 Day Week Global – a not-for-profit organisation. Companies in the programme reported increased revenue and improved employee health and wellbeing, and it even had a positive impact on the environment.
Orla Kelly, an environmental sociologist at University College Dublin in Ireland, who was the lead researcher for the trial, said the shorter workweek helps people to make more pro-environmental choices.
“When people are working longer hours, they tend to be in this kind of work-spend cycle where consumption patterns tend to be quite intensive,” she said.
Well, there you have it: concrete proof that your boss should be giving you Friday – or Monday – off, in order to make more money.
Sometimes you can’t argue with science!
Compiled by Mashudu Mabila
Pictured above: Company offices
Image source: Inc. Magazine
