WE DARED TO BE FIRST! 4 DAY-WORKING WEEK AT HOVI

Could a traditional 9 to 5, Monday to Friday work schedule become something of the past? It could if we look at things differently. When employers understand that it should be less about work hours and more about work outcome, an impactful perspective shift occurs and puts everything into place. Let’s go through why a 4 day work week should be the new norm.

We are always looking out for the brightest local talent in whichever market we’re in, offering an opportunity to break into the global professional market. To do that, we really put a lot of effort and thought into our company culture as we became the first regional company to implement the 4 day-working week.

Bob Sabra, CEO of Hovi states the following: “The pressure of life can take a toll on all of us. We understand and know that. The best outputs are created when the environment is as stress-free as possible. We don’t see this a privilege like some others who offer it. It’s a right for people to feel comfortable and happy. To work, and be able to use their fifth day to grow professionally or personally.”

Let’s take a look at the benefits of implementing a 4 day working week

1- Increased Productivity

The four-day workweek is not just the key to happiness, but the answer to creating a more productive workforce.

Researchers have found that four day-work weeks actually result in a more productive workflow. According to Dr. De Neve, from the wellbeing research center at the University of Oxford, concentrating your work on four days rather than five, focuses the mind, allows for better work life balance which makes you happier, more focused, and engaged while at work, resulting in an overall increase in output & productivity despite working one day less.

To illustrate that, New Zealand-based company Perpetual Guardian conducted a trial study of a 4 day work week. Not only did employees maintain the same productivity level, but they also showed improvements in job satisfaction, teamwork, work-life balance, and company loyalty.

Employees also experienced less stress with a decrease of 45% to 38% work-related stress.

2- Better Work Life Balance

When looking at what makes people happy at work or satisfied with life, research has shown that work-life balance plays an important role. Everyone agrees that there needs to be a sharper line drawn between work life and home life. There’s a lot of frustration around that subject because a lot of employees are time-pressed. Commitments to childcare, doctor’s appointments, and practical everyday tasks add to our stress. We simply don’t have the time to do them outside of work. With a more flexible work schedule, we can cut some of that frustration and convert it into a wellbeing dividend. Putting mental health at the center of the political agenda results in a much more efficient outcome.

3- A smaller carbon footprint for a shorter work week

The positive outcomes of working 4 days a week go beyond just the pleasure of having another day of downtime. In fact, the shorter the hours we work, the better it is for the environment. How? A study by the Henley Business School estimates that a four day working model would see employees driving around 560 million fewer miles every week, which in turn would reduce emissions from traffic. Also, less need for office space and reduced computer usage would mean a drop in the energy being consumed by businesses. Looking at Microsoft Japan’s 2019 trial of a four-day work week, the company saw electricity costs drop by nearly a quarter.

A 4 day-work week is relatively a new concept, brought about largely due to recent advancements in technology. Only 15% of employers currently offer this schedule. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the rise of flexible and remote working arrangement as well as advancements in technology and automation are pushing this idea toward becoming reality for more workers. Some companies are already trialing the idea with promising results for both employees and employers. At the end of the day, don’t we all want employers and employees to be both happy & satisfied?