Comments on: Are You Ready for a Four Day Work Week?

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:45:37 +0000

Re: People talk about how they never have enough time, but many of us work too much out of choice because it gives us things we want rather than the time we want.

I do not work too much for the above reason. I work too much because my employer is inflexible. I would love to have the option to work less for less, or at least try the 9/80 thing, but first I would be shunned by my peers and management for being a “slacker”, then forced out and replaced with another, more “hard-working”, individual (seen it happen many times).

By: Robin Shreeves

Robin Shreeves — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:03:57 +0000

A lot of good comments. There would certainly be adjustments and even inconveniences for some if their work schedule were altered this dramatically.

This isn’t really an issue for me – I work from home and set my own hours, but I would love it if my husband could get this kind of arrangement.

By: rockymtnway

rockymtnway — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:23:58 +0000

I’ve been on a flexible schedule working 4/5/9s for years, but last year I decided to go back to school. To accommodate this, my employer could only be so flexible at full time, so the most sensible thing became working 4 8 hour days a week at 32 hours. While taking a substantial cut in pay was tough the first year, I adjusted and now can’t imagine going back to a real schedule, even if it was something like 4 10 hour days or my former 9 hour days with a three day weekend every other week.

People talk about how they never have enough time, but many of us work too much out of choice because it gives us things we want rather than the time we want. The real question should be, what would you be willing to give up for more time to be with loved ones, doing the hobbies you love, or going back to school? I’ve found that it’s worth about $20k/year and and that’s a bargain! Life’s too short, make the most of every hour.

By: Bobby B.

Bobby B. — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:17:05 +0000

My employer utilizes a 9-80 work schedule. Theoretically, that is 4-9’s and 1-4 during week 1 followed by 4-9’s and one day off during week 2. The general reality is 9-10.5’s with every second Friday off (maybe). The day off is nice, but the system makes it difficult for parents who like to attend their kids’ after school activities while the sun is still shining.

Environmentally, I doubt that it really makes that big a difference in the desired direction. When I am off of work, I don’t make any efforts to reduce my carbon footprint by sitting still and praising myself for my green ways. I generally reduce the mileage capabilities of my pick-up by towing the boat to the lake to catch fish for the the frying pan. Or I might roll out the power tools to transform some trees into either cabinets or furniture…and of course, saw dust. Or I might decide to light up a couple of bags of charcoal and grill mass quantities of dead animals. At a minimum, I will cut the lawn. So you see, I am pretty sure that I negate any of the green benefits that my company may claim by “giving” me a day off every second week. Surely, greens don’t spend their days away from work celebrating their efforts to save the planet by sitting in the dark, fasting, immobile, and alone. That would truly be sad.

By: Adam Williams

Adam Williams — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:34:18 +0000

i think the four-day work week would be great, and even greater if it meant reduced work hours, too.

similar to the 1930s example you mention, robin, i’ve thought of 24- or 32-hour work weeks as a means of spreading the wealth, so to speak, and to increase everyone’s work-life balance.

to me, there is something not right about working five days of every week, only to spend one of the weekend days catching up on errands and chores at home, and then get one day off, maybe, to spend with family, relaxation, pleasure, etc.

only 1/7 days a week is given to enjoying life in the U.S.? if we went to a 4-day work week, we’d at least get to double that opportunity, almost getting an even split between the must-dos in life and the wanna-dos.

By: millie

millie — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:54:44 +0000

i LOVE this idea. i really hope it catches on! for other people’s sake, that is– my schedule is very flexible and has allowed me to work a 4-day week for a few years now. environmental reasons aside, i think 4 days on, 3 days off strikes a perfect balance between your work life and the rest of your life, allowing for less stress and more… well, life. give it a try, if you can!

By: Concetta

Concetta — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:59:10 +0000

I think this is a great idea! In Chicago, where we have massive problems with traffic- think of how many fewer cars could be on the road if companies gave their employees staggered four day work weeks.

Of course, there is fatigue and loss of attention with a ten hour time span – but looking around any office at any given time, there’s bound to be one person or more not performing exactly as specified even on a regular flex time 40 hour week.

I would love to work for a company that offered this. It would make life so much easier – a full day that I can dedicate to doctor appointments, bank runs, post office pickups, etc. The fact that its also environmentally friendly would be icing on the cake!

By: Levi Novey

Levi Novey — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:59:47 +0000

While there are certainly benefits to a 4 day work week, I have noticed that in the National Park Service, these schedules tend to be less efficient at times for a couple reasons. If it does not involve field work, then it makes employees less accessible to contact via phone and email– making communication slower and more challenging. It can also cause resentment among people who have to work 5 days a week inside the organization and outside of it. Lastly, it can decrease work efficiency, as people probably aren’t intended to work for 10 hours straight (people lose energy, get lazy on the ends, etc..) These negative being said, the environmental benefits are definitely good.