4 day working week
Work is one of those things we all fall into the pattern of, so when last year Ash’s working week changed, from 8 hours a day, 5 days a week to 10 hours a day, 4 days a week it was a little strange. At first we would be ready to go on his original ‘day back’ but actually, in time, it became that it actually suited us a lot better.
Ash finds when he comes home from work he just wants to crash out, after all, he does spend most of the day on his feet. Then when it came to his time off, the first day was relax day, while the second was crammed full of getting everything done, which would leave me very tired when it came to him going back to work and as some of you might know this isn’t a good thing as I am the designated driver.
However when he was switched to three days off, it meant he could relax on day 1, we could be busy on day 2 and I could relax on day 3, while he did whatever he wanted. Making for a more balanced week in my mind.
It seems like 4 day weeks doesn’t just work better for us, this inforgraphic from GoToMeeting shows that it actually seems to work for a lot of people, although it does have its downsides as well.
What do you think of the idea of a 4 day working week, do you think it would work for you?
Post written in collaboration with the aforementioned company.
What an interesting analysis of a shorter work week. Honestly I like the idea and think it could work. But we need to stop demanding so much be done during work time. Seriously so many things are not key for business success.
I would love to work only 4 days a week instead of 5, the weekends feel so short and because I have to cram everything into them they fly by.
I think this would suit me. I am very unproductive in the evenings already so doing 8am to 6.30pm instead of 4.30pm Monday to Thursday would make little difference. The only thing I can see that would suffer would be my diet – I’d be eating my main meal of the day considerably later which may cause other issues to my sleep pattern, I also would definitely not have time for any exercise in the evening. I wonder if my employer would go for it as a trial? I doubt it.
I’m torn by this. I can see both sides on it. I would love if kids got a four day week though.
I think having an extra day off it amazing although of course it comes with the cost of longer working days the rest of the time but it’s just finding a good balance that suits you. Thanks for sharing this really informative infographic
Laura x
I work a four on four off shift pattern it gives me a lot of free time but it is a long 12hour shift .
I really don’t know what impact a four day work schedule would have. My DH works from home — while it is flexible, it seems like he is working more and always working.
Ugh, it’s not really related, but they’re trying to make school run year round in our district. Oh how I hope that doesn’t pass. Kids need real breaks/time to play!
Oh and as for the 4-day work week… I think it depends on the personal situation. I liked working 5 when I was out of the house. I don’t know how well I could have kept up working 4… the work was pretty busy even with 5. 🙂
I think the infographic is interesting that Utah quit the program because they ONLY saved $1 million dollars. I think it’s a better way to work and I don’t think that means government offices have to always be closed on Friday. I think they didn’t really think of the benefits. Another option is 9/80 meaning everyone works basically an hour more each day so that they get every other Friday off.
Sounds good but I think most companies rely on each other to be there M-F so don’t think many will try it as they may (or think they will) lose business. Travel could mean many people are out of the house for well over 12 hours which would be hard but you’d save money not travelling on the fifth day.
It definitely works & makes sense but certain sectors would need extra supports e.g. childcare. Here in Ireland, childcare is dreadfully expensive so that would definitely be a factor. I’ve worked 4 day weeks (10 hours/day) in the past & loved it but I don’t have children to plan for.
I think this would be better for everyone to work like this.Thing is with someone like me I get really bored easily so I make more work for myself and then end up having too much to do.
I don’t think it would suit me. It’s already very exhausting with 8 hours/day. If I have to work for 10 hours/day, I’d gone mad.
It makes sense.
4 working days would be nice, leaves room for so much more to do for yourself and your family!
It would leave open so many things to do with 4 working days, I’d really like to see this happen!
I honestly don’t tend to plan anything – that is usually my not-so-good side, lol.. seems like a great infograph for me to think about indeed. Thank you.
My husbands job right now because it’s in retail he’s at a 4 day work week because it’s slow hours and he’s not getting nearly as many hours as he was getting before Christmas as compared to after Christmas. I love my husband but it does throw our routines off a bit.
Oh I would love to have a three day weekend. How awesome!
As a nurse, I have often worked 3 or 4 day work weeks. They worked best for me. I seemed to get more done and enjoyed my off time more.
I quit my job 9 years ago when our 1st child was born and now 4 more kids later I am a stay at home – homeschool mom. I wish my husband had a 4 day work week so he would be home with us more!
I’ve been working a four day work week for years and absolutely love it. I would never work another 5 day a week job no matter what they offered me.
Interesting. I would love to be able to switch to a 4 day work week. I possibly could, if I took the third day mid week. Something to think about.
I have always thought and known that a 4 day work week would benefit every single person in the world. I used to have a schedule like this and wish that the world would turn to this but I know it won’t.
I think 4day work weeks would be good in some situations since we had our 3rd child 2 yrs ago my husband took on more hours so I can stay home with the baby he used to work 5 days but now works 61/2 days a week then one day off every other day instead of the half day hes a butcher and his store is open 7 days a week. I always worked with my other 2 kids I worked till I went into labor and always had to go right back to work within days of giving birth and I hated not being home with my kids and now I finally have the opportunity to be home and I love it it’s what I always wanted but a 4 days work week for him would be great in the sense that he never gets much time with the kids he’s exhausted when he gets home and we just never see him he worked 9-730pm but it would mean I would have to go back to work.
I don’t work out of the home so I practically already have a four day work week. My kids are homeschooled and I only do 4 days of work with them too. I think 4-day work weeks are perfect. People need more than two days to relax.
I am all for the 4 day week. Actually we enjoy them during summer and it works extremely well.
I would love to work only a 4day week but I run my own business so I doubt that will happen for me/ Great post. xox
Sounds great! My husband does 4 day work weeks often so we like it. I’m not sure if he can do it longterm but for now it works!
This is an interesting info graphic. A 4 day work week sounds amazing!
I wish my job allowed that kind of schedule. I would love to have a 3-day weekend.
This is an interesting info graphic. I prefer to have Fridays be a light day, and feel it works with our families natural rhythm much better than a 2-day break.
With my job I’m doing a lot of hours 5 days a week but I’m about to retire so will be home and think I’d much prefer that. 🙂
My husband used to work this shift and we really enjoyed it alot better. We had more family time and he got more rest on the days that he was working because we didn’t run on those days.
After I had my first baby, I worked a 4 day work week and loved it. They were 10 hour days, but if I was already there for 8, two more was nothing.
I used to work 3 long shifts as a nurse and generally it worked well but childcare can be an issue. I would like the children to have a 4 day week at school.