4-day week made permanent for 89% UK firms who took part in Worlds biggest trial
theguardian.com
theguardian.com
I think that for some leaders, no data in the world is going to convince them that one day less of butts in the seat can be a positive thing. They'll forever chase the idea of maximizing 5-day workweeks, and that's that.
My last programming job nearly 10 years ago I was working 4 days a week, and at my job before that there were 3 programmers who were 4 days a week.
Simply list it as a requirement when searching for jobs and go from there. It's all negotiable, if you work at it.
In one of my first jobs I negotiated less hours instead of a raise whenever I got offered a raise. I went from 40 hours/week to 36 hours/week to 32 hours/week in a few years.
I, for one, am not talented at what I do, and have no power in any negotiation. I couldn't even negotiate salary, since I offer literally nothing no one else couldn't offer.
If the workplace mirrored the animal kingdom, I am more of the type of animal that feasts on carrion than hunts for fresh prey. Thus, I would never be able to swing such a deal.
However, I do hope those that can swing such a deal do so, so that it may systemically trickle down to us scavenger type.
If you absolutely can not relocate, then remote is a condition, and you will turn down any offer that is not remote.
If you absolutely can not take a pay cut, then a certain salary is a condition, and you will turn down any offer that is less than you currently make.
If you absolutely want to work four days a week, then part time is a condition, and you will turn down any offer that is not four days a week.
It's likewise in how I was willing to relocate 5 years ago for my first job. Because I wanted to take any opportunity and many others would pass me over. There's enough supply and enough talent on my end that I no longer need to relocate (plus I lucked out into a house. I'd need to literally triple my salary to justify moving and maintaining this kind of QoL if I was recruited into Silicon Valley), but I haven't seen the same prospects with part time, decently compensated tech work. I've looked out of curiosity due to long term plans, but it doesn't seem to be publicly advertised.
I know I slack off, but I also have absolutely no incentive not too. I have always been told that the reward for digging the biggest hole is a bigger shovel.
If higher ups want to play a shitty game, then don't get mad at a shitty reward.
Slacking off is the uncharitable way to describe at best middling returns and at worst burnout. no one's 100% 24/7. That's why more demanding jobs have even less hours, like firefighters or athletes. The brain is a bit more "durable", but is still just another muscle at the end of the day.
An article that refers to a study, which is positive about a 4 day work week, which was written by someone who works for a company that advocates for 4 day work weeks? A study which was literally written by somebody who over 30 years has made it their career to push this idea, and who directly financially benefits from pushing the idea? Written by somebody who profits by selling multiple books about how "overworked" Americans are?
Man, they've sure convinced me. I guess the millions/billions of companies across the world that don't do 4 day work week just really have no idea what they're doing. Those 36 data points provided by the most biased author you could possibly find really is all the data in the world.
I think that this will start to take off if stakeholders can start to coalesce around a single day. Either Monday or Friday. Once you build up the expectation that people are off on a given day, it becomes that much easier for a new firm to adopt (because, e.g., none of their counterparties are in the office).
My employer would not respect mental health days by any means. I've taken them before, but I have always faked another illness. I have also always had this overwhelming feeling of guilt and anxiety that if I got caught, I'd be reprimanded.
> Research shows 51% that took part permanently adopted the change, while 89% still operating policy one year on