Work less and achieve more……that seems to be a popular message that is coming out now. Elena Keffrigan from Think Productive spoke at the Global Business Breakfast in Brighton last week and described how her business worked 4 day weeks for 5 days’ pay for many years. For me, there are 3 key messages: first, there is a strict rule that outside of working hours there is no emailing etc – this prevents “work-creep” ; secondly, there is a set number of hours that need to be worked over 4 or 5 days so that team members have a choice to suit their personal circumstances and work styles; and finally, the restricted hours generates a holiday work culture – you know when you are about to go on holiday, you work more intensely to get all those jobs done.
Should you go to a 4 day week? For me, there are two questions: first, how do you currently measure the success/productivity of your business, so that you can ensure any change results in at least the status quo and preferably an improvement? and secondly, how do you ensure a permanent “holiday” work culture is in place: the same work needs to get done in those restricted hours leading to a more fulfilling work/life balance for all the people.
Final thought: what would it mean to you and your team if you worked less hours for the same money?
