High Performance with a 4-Day Week

Is a 4-day work week the key to increased productivity, enhanced well-being, and a reduced carbon footprint? 

Unilever, renowned for Dove toiletries and Streets ice creams, is running a 12-month trial using the 100:80:100 model. Participants retain 100% of their income, reduce their hours to 80%, and maintain 100% productivity. 

A recent poll we conducted revealed that nearly 80% of voters love the idea of a 4-day work week. Bunnings are also approaching the four days a week way of working by offering their staff the opportunity to work their full-time hours over four days instead of 5 days. Other companies are introducing “Bare Minimum Mondays'' and no meetings on Friday afternoons. Regardless of the tactics, the key is prioritising tasks and automating or eliminating less crucial activities to success. However, scepticism about maintaining work quality remains a significant roadblock. 

The key insight is that people are looking for new and more flexible ways of working that suit the changing economy and environment by embracing technology and giving them a higher sense of value and purpose in their work. So what is the secret formula? Well, there is no one for this matter. Organisations, as people, differ from each other, so no matter the approach, it will need boundaries and clear expectations from everyone involved. However, no action is not a recommended option here. So don’t be paralysed by fear and look for solutions that fit your team’s purpose, making them feel understood and considered. Ignoring the topic won’t make it go away and may cost you more than a decrease in your employee survey results.