Will the 4-Day Work Week Become Law? Plus, Our Pilot & Company Update
Episode 861: Show Notes
Have you been considering implementing a four-day workweek into your business but are just a little hesitant? Well, then this episode is for you! I was just as resistant to the idea of shortening the week but when I did it, I realized that you can do less and achieve more while creating an environment that honors people and their lives.
In 1940, the 40-hour workweek law was established and has been the standard for almost all full-time employees. But it’s not necessarily the most productive method because employees don’t really need to work for that long to get things done. When I worked for someone else, I found myself finishing my work far earlier than five o’clock and I wanted to create an environment for my employees that felt more flexible and free! Today I’m telling you all about my company’s working hours, how we’ve adopted the four-hour, and what research says about this new trend!
Listen on your favorite podcast player
Gradually Incorporating the Four-Day Workweek into My Business
I have always been flexible with my time-off policies in my business and have even come to the point where my employees have about six weeks off a year whenever they want to take leave. So, naturally, I was hesitant about the idea of a four-day workweek even though the research says it’s positive. I also felt like it would give me less control and make me worry about deadlines and capacity. But then I started feeling worn down and realized I needed time off and my staff did too. In May, I made Fridays half-days only and after Memorial Day, my whole team took Fridays off.
My goal is to reassess in the fall and I can already tell you that I don’t think I’ll ever go back to five days! I think my staff adapted really quickly to the new work schedule but this has not been without challenges. I was quite busy during this time and really felt like I had to force myself to mold into the new way the business was doing things. It made me realize that I am truly in charge of my schedule, timelines, and deadlines. Having a shorter workweek showed me that my team is doing enough and having a positive impact on our clients even without doing more! We are still at the beginning of the process so this is my take very early on.
What You Need to Know About the Research on the Four-Day Workweek
I want you to understand all of the international testing that’s being done on four-day workweeks. There was an international four-day workweek study that was published that ABC did a story on recently. 61 UK companies participated in this study and 89% of these companies kept the structure in place, half of the companies continued researching it, and the other half have put it in place permanently! The terms of the study were that they agreed to forgo the 40-hour work-week and the participants agreed to have 100% of the workload completed in 80% of the time.
Participants reported more efficiency, happier employees, lower turnover rates, and they have seen so many long-term benefits. Every single participant reported that the four-day workweek had a positive or very positive impact on their organization! 82% of the surveyed companies reported positive effects on the staff’s well-being, 50% saw positive effects on reducing staff turnover, and 32% said that the policy noticeably improved their recruitment. We can’t argue with those statistics, right? I asked my staff how they felt about this change and they all agreed that it had a positive impact on them being able to live their lives and that is so important to me!
How the Four-Day Workweek is Changing Laws Around the World
I think the US may be slow to move to this but in a poll commissioned by some experts, they believe a four-day workweek may become a standard in the UK by 2030 which is actually so soon! I think we are going to see more and more companies move towards this! But I want you to be aware that some of this is being put into actual law. In Belgium, workers are allowed the right to request a four-day workweek. Lawmakers in Massachusetts introduced a bill that provides employers a tax credit for shifting 15 employees to four days a week without cutting their pay. In California, a lawmaker reintroduced a 32-hour workweek act to Congress that sets the new standard to 32 hours.
I understand that it takes time to change laws but whether this becomes law or not is irrelevant! I want you to be prepared for the possibility that this will become a legal requirement. Right now, you have an opportunity to be at the forefront of a change that has a positive impact on workers’ livelihoods. If you are struggling with this concept, I can almost guarantee that it comes from a place of fear and nothing more. I’m going into this with positive intent and research and I’m excited to come back to you and tell you how it’s working out for my company. You have the right to work less and enjoy life a little bit more without sacrificing your success or revenue. I want you to be inspired to make some positive changes to your company and be part of the future of business!
Quote This
I want to create an environment that allows people to be the healthiest they’ve ever been!
Highlights
Gradually Incorporating the Four-Day Workweek into My Business. [0:02:19]
What You Need to Know About the Research on the Four-Day Workweek. [0:17:04]
How the Four-Day Workweek is Changing Laws Around the World. [0:23:39]
OUR HOST:
Abagail Pumphrey
Boss Project on Instagram | Facebook
Abagail Pumphrey, the Co-Founder & CEO of Boss Project, has been a driving force in the creative entrepreneur industry since 2015. With a passion for empowering service-based business owners around the globe, she became internet-famous after the launch of the transformative training, "Trello for Business." This innovative system revitalized the operations of over 10,000 business owners, making a significant impact on the online business landscape.
Under Abagail's leadership, Boss Project has been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Marie Claire, INC, and HuffPost. Her twice-weekly podcast, The Strategy Hour, is a staple in the business community, continuously topping Business and Management Charts on Apple with millions of listeners from around the world.
Abagail's superpower lies in her ability to break down complex concepts into easy-to-implement, duplicatable systems. As an expert in online sales and a data-driven strategist, she has turned a layoff into a 7-figure work-from-home business. Abagail's mission to help more female founders become financially free, without letting their businesses take over their lives, continues to inspire and guide entrepreneurs on their path to success.
Key Topics:
Four-Day Workweek, Productivity, Flexibility, Well-being, Working Hours, Labor Standards
