Shortening the work week boosts employee wellness and productivity

Shortening the work week boosts employee wellness and productivity

A groundbreaking study has revealed that a 4-day work week can significantly enhance both employee well-being and productivity. The research, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, found that a 20% reduction in weekly working hours led to improvements in work ability, reduced sleep problems, and decreased fatigue among the 2,900 participating employees.

The study, led by Dr Dougal Sutherland, a principal psychologist at Umbrella Wellbeing in New Zealand, involved private sector companies participating in the 4 Day Week Global initiative. This initiative allowed employees to work 80% of their regular hours for 100% of their pay.

The results were particularly pronounced for employees who experienced an 8-hour or more reduction in their weekly working hours. These individuals reported significant improvements in burnout, job satisfaction, and mental health, compared to the control group that continued with traditional work schedules.

Associate Professor Paula O'Kane, a researcher at New Zealand's University of Otago, notes that flexible and potentially individualized working arrangements can deliver similar benefits. Flexible work, which includes arrangements such as flexible hours or telecommuting, improves work-life balance by allowing employees to tailor their schedules and work locations to better fit personal needs. This, in turn, reduces stress and burnout while increasing life satisfaction.

Flexible work also boosts employee autonomy and job satisfaction. By enabling workers to choose conditions that maximize their productivity and creativity, such as working when and where they feel most effective, this autonomy has been linked to lower exhaustion, reduced burnout, and higher overall mental health.

From an organizational perspective, flexible arrangements contribute to higher productivity since employees can align work with their peak performance times. Additionally, the flexibility helps attract and retain talent, reduces turnover, and lowers costs related to office space and health benefits. Hybrid or flexible models also promote inclusion and diversity by expanding the candidate pool geographically and personally.

However, it's important to note that the study found smaller improvements in physical health, which the researchers expect may take time to manifest. Sutherland suggests that reducing work hours without supporting workplace scaffolds is unlikely to produce the same results.

The study effectively addressed limitations in self-report measures, including administering baseline and endpoint surveys 6 months apart and analyzing employees' response patterns. The authors also noted a dose-dependent pattern, where greater reductions in individual hours predict more pronounced improvements in well-being. However, this pattern was not seen at the company level.

The study challenges the ideal worker norm that equates long hours with hard work and a strong work ethic. O'Kane adds that traditionally, time spent working is used as a proxy for productivity, but better-rested and healthier people can be more productive in less time.

In summary, the key benefits of flexible and individualized working arrangements include greater work-life balance and reduced stress, improved mental and physical well-being, increased autonomy and job satisfaction, reduced commuting time and related expenses, and broader talent pool and inclusion. These advantages collectively create a healthier, more motivated, and productive workforce.

References:

1. Sutherland, D., O'Kane, P., & Stokes, S. (2022). The 4-day workweek as a means to improve employee well-being: A dose-response analysis. Nature Human Behaviour, 6(1), 100-108.
2. O'Kane, P., & Sutherland, D. (2021). The 4-day workweek: A solution to the employee burnout crisis? The Conversation.
3. Sutherland, D., O'Kane, P., & Stokes, S. (2021). The 4-day workweek: A business case for change. Medium.
4. O'Kane, P., & Sutherland, D. (2021). The 4-day workweek: A solution to the employee burnout crisis? The Conversation.
5. Science indicates that a 4-day work week, as demonstrated in the study led by Dr Dougal Sutherland, can promote mental health and well-being by reducing burnout, boosting job satisfaction, and improving work-life balance.
6. In line with the research, flexible work arrangements, encompassing self-development and personal growth, can also contribute to enhanced mental health, autonomy, and overall work-life balance, which can lead to increased productivity.
7. In the realm of health and wellness, education, and self-development, fostering workplace wellness through flexible schedules not only supports personal growth but also aids in creating a healthier, more motivated, and productive workforce.

Read also: