๐กOpinion
Embracing the 4-Day Work Week: Benefits and Challenges
The world of work is evolving!
A recent *study sheds light on the emerging popularity of the 4-Day Work Week (4DWW). Fueled by the pandemic's impact and the quest for work-life equilibrium, companies have been reaping the rewards.
๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ
โข ๐ Enhanced Recruitment and Retention: Companies adopting 4DWW are attracting top talent and keeping them happy.
โข โฌ๏ธ Increased Productivity: Surprisingly, shorter workweeks are boosting output as employees work smarter, not longer.
โข ๐ค Reduced Absenteeism: Healthier, happier employees are less likely to take sick days.
But it's not all smooth sailing. Challenges range from scepticism to accommodating part-time staff. The 4DWW isn't one-size-fits-all; it's tailored to suit each organisation's unique needs.
๐๏ธ ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ
The 4DWW isn't a new concept; it dates back to 1908 and resurfaced during the 1970s oil crisis. Today, it's experiencing a renaissance, driven by the pandemic's demand for flexible work arrangements.
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ฎ
The UK piloted a 4DWW program with resounding success โ reduced sick days and turnover. Other countries are following suit.
๐ข ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐
In Australia, companies are allowing employees to work 80% of their previous hours for full pay. It's seen as a privilege tied to performance.
๐ค ๐๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐-๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐. ๐ก๐ผ๐ป-๐๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐-๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Work arrangements differ based on whether a company interacts with clients. Flexibility is key.
๐ ๏ธ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
Reducing non-essential work, cross-training, and automation are some strategies firms use to make the 4DWW work.
The future of work is here, and the 4-Day Work Week is at the forefront.
*Source: Emerging Four-Day Work Week Trends in Australia - June 2023 - Published by Swinburne University of Technology
๐ฌ Quotes
"The best thing I did as a manager at PayPal was to make every person in the company responsible for doing just one thing.โ โ Peter Thiel
"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavour." - Truman Capote
๐ฃ๏ธ Buzzwords
๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ - the accepted norms, practices and principles that teams establish and articulate to ensure that their digital behaviours and habits are sustainable.
Cyberloafing - a term to describe employees who use work time to engage in non-work-related activities on the internet, such as web browsing, using social media, or checking and responding to personal emails.
๐จโ๐ผ Ideas for Induction
The right on-the-job training rarely occurs. What any worker needs to know is never in the induction package.
Here are my induction essentials that every new starter needs to master in their job.
1. Emotional intelligence
How to:
Understand + validate emotions
Build strong, healthy relationships
Empathise with others + establish trust
2. Time management
How to:
Choose the right priorities
Do fewer things, better (to avoid burnout)
Time block their calendar to get the right things done
3. Self-discipline
How to:
Reduce screen time (especially on social media)
Keep commitments and self-promises
Stay focused on goals (even when faced with distractions or obstacles)
Make sacrifices and build mental toughness
4. Critical thinking
How to:
Receive (and give) feedback
Evaluate multiple arguments
Question existing beliefs (both their own and othersโ)
Make informed decisions
5. Negotiation
How to:
Ask clarifying questions to understand the otherโs needs
Think creatively about out-of-the-box solutions
Self-advocate with confidence
Consider best alternative options in order to get more leverage
6. Healthy habits
How to:
Get more restorative sleep
Lift weights to promote muscle development and bone density
Do cardio for heart health and mental clarity
Enjoy nutrient-dense meals
If those six things are understood by any new starter, they will develop into an outstanding team member.
๐ Reads
7 Lessons from the Happiest Man on Earth
Are Performance Reviews Useful?
๐ฃ Some Stats
Merriam-Webster added 690 new words to its dictionary, including doggo, chef's kiss, and thirst trap. Check them all out HERE
Most meetings last 15 minutes, according to new Microsoft Teams data. 15-minute meetings now account for 60% of all calendared events.ย
โ Time Wasters
๐ Chicken Soup for the Office
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.
โA fight is going on inside me,โ he said to the boy. โIt is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil โ he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.โ
He continued, โThe other is good โ he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
The same fight is going on inside you โ and inside every other person, too.โ
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, โWhich wolf will win?โ
The old Cherokee simply replied, โThe one you feed.โ
๐คฃ Prompts
CFO by Midjourney
Prompt: comic book cover, chief financial officer, office, cartoon style --no ties, no suits --ar 16:9