4-Day 10-Hour Work Week — 4 Day Week
Discover if a 4-day, 10-hour workweek suits your workplace. Explore benefits, real-world cases, and tips for pitching the idea to your employer
In today’s fast-paced world, striking a work-life balance is a challenge. The traditional five-day workweek has long been the norm, but as the pressures of modern life intensify, more and more individuals and organizations are seeking alternative approaches.
Here comes the 4-Day 10-Hour Work Week — a game-changing approach. By condensing 40 hours into four longer days, this innovative schedule offers new possibilities for employees and employers.
Join us as we’ll help you determine if a 4-day, 10-hour workweek fits your workplace. Also, we’ll explore its benefits, real-world examples, and tips on pitching the idea to your employer.
What is a 4-Day, 10-Hour Work Week?
The four-day, 10-hour work week, commonly called the 4/10 schedule, involves employees working four 10-hour shifts instead of the typical five 8-hour weekly shifts.
Despite the more extended workdays, the total weekly hours remain 40, making it a compressed work schedule with an entire day off.
This unique arrangement offers employees three days to recharge and attend to personal matters after completing their busy work schedule.
Companies That Adopted the 4-Day 10-Hour Work Week Schedule
As the four-day workweek gains recognition as a potential path to enhanced productivity and a healthier workforce, numerous companies have eagerly embraced this compressed work schedule.
Let’s delve into specific examples of companies that have reaped the benefits of adopting this innovative approach.
1. Headspace
Headspace continuously strives to make the world healthier and happier. The company is an intriguing case study due to its unique work schedule.
They adopt a four-day workweek every other week, complemented by a five-day workweek with no meetings on Fridays.
During the four-day weeks, the designated day off is called a “Mind Day.” On these Fridays, employees are encouraged to prioritize their mental health however they choose.
This intentional decision aligns with Headspace’s overall mission of supporting employee mental well-being, showcasing its commitment to its message.
2. Elephant Ventures
Elephant Ventures is a software and data engineering company that has adopted a permanent compressed work week. All employees work 10 hours per day from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays off. The primary motivation behind this work schedule was to enhance work-life balance and reduce employee burnout.
To ensure the success of this approach, the company emphasizes that employees should completely disconnect on Fridays, refraining from checking emails or being available on Slack.
Moreover, Elephant Ventures proactively informed their clients about the new work schedule and assured them that productivity would remain consistently high from Monday to Thursday. As a result, their clients have been extremely supportive of this initiative.
#3: Boulder County, CO
In the U.S., the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s office officially transitioned to a four-day, 10-hour work week after successfully experimenting with this pilot program for four months in 2021. The new work schedule involves working from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
The positive response from staff and the public led the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s office to make this change permanent.
Employees enjoyed increased flexibility, resulting in higher productivity, while the public benefited from reduced in-person appointments. Also the extended daily hours allowed tasks to be completed more efficiently
The Pros & Cons of a 4-Day 10-Hour Work Week You Need To Know
We will start with the benefits of implementing a four-day, 10-hour work week as there’s clear evidence supporting them.
1. Better work-life balance
Employees can concentrate more effectively during work hours with extra time to attend to personal needs.
This results in fewer team members taking days off for personal matters or bringing those matters to work, as everyone enjoys a better balance between their professional and personal lives.
2. High productivity
Many company leaders worry that providing more days off may decrease productivity. However, companies like Microsoft Japan saw a remarkable 40% increase in productivity when they implemented a 4-day week.
By granting more time off, employees feel empowered to be more focused and efficient during their working days, improving productivity.
3. Better mental health and job satisfaction
Allowing employees more time for rest and personal pursuits that bring them peace and happiness fosters a greater appreciation for their job. Healthier and happier workers are undeniably the most productive workforce.
While we’ve discussed the benefits of adopting a four-day, 10-hour work week, it’s essential to acknowledge the potential disadvantages.
1. Employee Resistance & Company Culture
Firstly, transitioning to a four-day workweek may face resistance from some employees, depending on your company culture and trust in leadership.
Concerns about being perceived as lazy for taking a four-day workweek could deter some from embracing this schedule. The entire organizational team needs to be on board to make it successful.
2. Negative Preconceptions
Secondly, despite positive research supporting the four-day workweek, negative preconceptions persist. Around 46% to 53% of managers and employers worry that it may impact sales and revenue, as employees won’t be constantly available to customers.
While these disadvantages lack clear evidence, knowing them will help you prepare when presenting the idea to your boss.
How to Propose a 4/10 Work Week to Your Employer
If you’re inspired by all the success stories we’ve shared of companies implementing a four-day work week, you may want to pitch it to your employer.
1. Align with Your Company’s Values
Consider how a 4-day work week fits your company’s values and goals. Your employer will likely consider a work strategy that aligns with the company’s objectives.
If your company already embraces flexible work schedules or is open to innovations, proposing a four-day workweek makes sense.
Cite examples of companies like Emtrain that found it easier to transition due to their existing unlimited Paid Time Off policy.
So, identify and emphasize the aspects of your company that lean towards more flexible work arrangements in your proposal.
2. Craft a Detailed Proposal
When creating your proposal, you must be as detailed as possible and provide evidence to support your case. Reference global examples we’ve mentioned above and study different companies successfully implementing the 4-day work week.
Using examples of companies within your industry is particularly effective since overall goals are often similar. Furthermore, outline how you plan to manage your responsibilities effectively while enhancing productivity during the shortened work week.
Your proposal should focus on how the compressed work schedule benefits you as an employee and how it will positively impact the company’s goals.
3. Propose a Pilot Program
Since a significant shift in work schedules might give management pause, suggest a temporary pilot program to help them assess the actual benefits of a four-day, 10-hour work week for the organization.
For instance, companies like Wildbit initiated a trial period before fully committing to the compressed work schedule. By implementing it as a pilot program, your management can easily compare how this new strategy impacts productivity, making it easier for them to make an informed
Summing Up
The 4-day, 10-hour work week presents a compelling opportunity for enhanced productivity and work-life balance.
Successfully embracing this model requires thoughtful consideration of company values and culture, along with a well-structured proposal to overcome potential resistance
If you are seeking a career that follows a 4/10 work schedule, head over to 4 Day Week’s remote jobs portal. Here, you can explore the latest job opportunities and find detailed answers to frequently asked questions about the 4-day work week.
This article was originally posted on 4 day week — jobs with a four day workweek. Get a job with a better work-life balance.
