In recent months, the 4 day work week has become a popular topic of discussion among businesses. Many companies have touted the benefits of transitioning to a 4 day work week, claiming that it boosts employee morale and productivity. But are these claims true? Or could some businesses be faking the success of the 4 day work week in order to attract new talent?
Here are some signs to watch out for that may indicate that the 4 day work week is not working as well as promoted by management.
Employees are Actually Working Longer Hours Outside of the Office
If employees are working longer hours outside of the office, it may be a sign that they’re struggling to complete their work in the reduced time frame. This can lead to burnout and decreased productivity over time, especially if they are afraid to disclose it. If you notice that your employees are working longer hours, or if they’re answering emails outside of normal business hours, it may be time to have a discussion around business expectations.
Productivity Has Decreased
If you’ve noticed an initial increase in productivity but subsequent gradual decrease since transitioning to a 4 day work week, it’s a cause for concern. Employees may be struggling to adapt to the change. They may have an inability to prioritise and focus because they’re trying to cram 5 days’ worth of work into 4 days. If productivity has decreased, it’s important to sit down with your team and see what’s causing the issue and address how the change is impacting them.
There’s been an Increase in Sick Days
If employees are taking more sick days than usual, it could be a sign that the 4 day work week may not be working as well as expected. When people are overworked, they’re more susceptible to getting sick. If you notice an increase in sick days or even noticed that your team members are complaining that they are feeling under the weather, it’s important to see if the change to how they work has made them more susceptible to illnesses.
It’s not easy to measure wellbeing because it’s very subjective. It’s even harder when there’s potential influence from management to overstate the benefits. While many companies have been successful in transitioning to a four day work week and employee morale and productivity have improved, it’s important to make sure that leaders keep watch for signs to suggest otherwise and not just look at the data. As with any significant change, some will cope better than others and it’s important to ensure that all employees are supported during the transition and this requires leaders to remain vigilant for subtle signs.