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A four-day work week. That sounds like a good idea to me. That means three days off each week. I would appreciate an extra day to get things done around the house or to run errands. I'd also appreciate those three days off be grouped together like a three-day holiday weekend every weekend. Of course, you realize, instead of five eight-hour days you'd need four ten-hour days to get your full-time forty hours per week. Would you like fewer but longer work days? If your employer implemented a four-day work week right now how would that work for you? Would it disrupt your family's daily routine? Would you still be able to enjoy dinner with the family, pick-up the kids from school or activities or attend the usual weekly functions you do now? -Matt Appleby
Even more reason to have a four-day workweek … A study from the University of Cambridge of companies that implemented a four-day workweek found that working four days instead of five not only makes employees happy – but it also helps the company’s bottom line. According to the study, that one day – or 20% of weekly work hours – led to employees taking 65% fewer sick days and 57% fewer employees quitting. The four-day workweek also resulted in 71% of workers being less likely to feel “burned out” and 39% to feel less stressed. Researchers found that company revenue also increases with the shortened workweek. Of the 61 U.K. companies that took part in the pilot program, 92% say they plan to keep the four-day week.
This study was conducted in the United Kingdom. Data for workers in the United States was not available.