Earlier in 2022, workers from various companies across the UK started a four-day work week on June 6 as a pilot plan that will run for 6 months. It will work with the same pay while working for 4 days a week. The focus will be on employees continuing to hit productivity targets set by their employers.
What is a four-day week?
The program is being organized by the not-for-profit 4 Day Week Global, Autonomy, and the 4 Day Week UK Campaign in partnership with researchers from Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Boston College.
The largest companies from across sectors – from financial services to hospitality – are participating in this four-day workweek pilot plan.
The main principle behind this is getting 100 percent pay for working 80 percent of their work hours in exchange for maintaining 100 percent productivity.
There are over 150 companies and 7,000 employees that have signed up to participate in the six-month coordinated trials of the four-day working week as part of the 2022 program.
These countries include the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Earlier, Unilever said all 81 staff members at its offices across New Zealand will be able to participate in the trial, which starts next week and will run for 12 months until December next year.
The employees will be paid for five days while working just four. Unilever New Zealand managing director Nick Bangs said the aim was to change the way work is done, not increase the working hours on four days.
“If we end up in a situation where the team is working four extended days then we miss the point of this,” he said.
“We don’t want our team to have really long days, but to bring material change in the way they work.”
Now the next question is a Four-day workweek: Is India ready for it?
However, In India, major companies are currently operating 5/ 5.5 or 6 days a week. However, a four-day week certainly won’t work in certain industries and can be implemented in others.
Additionally, a four-day work week can be introduced in corporate offices including industry sectors such as technology, banking, insurance, and e-commerce. The manufacturing companies work in shifts seven days a week along with overtime. There will be a gap working in 4 days to stop production and work.
However, variable overhead costs (such as electricity and energy use) can be reduced by businesses while working 4 days a week but it will increase productivity is a question for sure.
Apparently, Employees can also benefit from the four-day work week. The employees will get more time to take care of their personal interests and spend time with their families.
Currently, companies in India are working on work models with flexible hours and working on hybrid models including a few days of work from home.
