4-Day 10-hour Work Week Advantages
Unlock the freedom and advantages of a 4-day, 10-hour workweek. Explore how it can enhance your well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction.
4-Day 10-hour Workweek Advantages
In today’s fast-paced world, the 4-day, 10-hour workweek has become the talk of the town.
This work system is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are now working remotely and enjoying a better work-life balance.
Its biggest perk, of course, is that it gives you an extra free day each week.
But the advantages don’t end there.
Join us at 4 Day Week as we explore the benefits of this modern idea and provide relatable examples to make it crystal clear.
What Is a 4-Day/10-Hour Workweek?
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Total Work Week | Calendar Week | | — — | — — | — — | — — | — — | — — | — — | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | off | 40 | 40 |
Source: CommutesmartNW
A 4-day, 10-hour work system, also known as a four-day workweek, is a compressed work arrangement where employees work four days, each consisting of 10 hours.
This differs from your standard five-day, eight-hour schedule as it condenses the workweek from Monday to Thursday.
So, it provides you with three consecutive days off instead of the usual two.
While it is commonly assumed that the day off in a 4-day workweek is Friday, preceding the weekend, it can be any weekday. For example, one team might take Fridays off while another chooses Mondays.
However, it is important to note that even with a 4/10 work schedule, the total number of working hours per week remains at 40 hours.
The difference lies in the distribution, where the hours are condensed into four longer workdays instead of five.
A recent survey revealed that 40% of companies already have or are planning to adopt a 4-day workweek.
4-Day/10-Hour Workweek Alternatives
Besides the new four-day workweek, several work schedules exist. Let’s have a look at them.
1. 9/80
| | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Total Work Week | Calendar Week | | — — | — — | — — | — — | — — | — — | — — | — — | | Week 1 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 40 | 44 | | Week 2 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | Off | 40 | 36 |
Source: CommutesmartNW
With a 9/80 work schedule, a two-week system spreads 80 working hours over nine days. This means you work for eight nine-hour days, one eight-hour day, and you get one day off every other week.
For instance, you might work nine hours from Monday to Thursday and eight hours on Friday. Then, during the second calendar week, you would work four days for nine hours each and have the opportunity to enjoy an additional day off.
However, this day off can be any weekday, not necessarily Friday.
2. 9/72
In this work schedule, employees work 40 hours over five days, followed by 32 hours over four days. Therefore, one day every other week is off, normally a Friday.
This arrangement offers a flexible schedule and the benefit of additional days off, providing you with more opportunities to spend quality time with family or pursue personal interests.
3. No Set Hours
As the name suggests, the “no set hours” work plan doesn’t have specified working hours. You can call it a day once you finish your assigned tasks or duties.
The main term here is “no set work hours.” You don’t have to work specific hours per day or week. Instead, the focus is on completing all your work.
What to Consider Before You Choose a 4-Day 10-Hour Work Week Schedule
1. Nature of Work
Before you jump on the bandwagon of a 4-day, 10-hour workweek, it is crucial to assess whether it aligns well with the nature of your profession.
For example, if your job requires a lot of face-to-face interaction, it may not work perfectly with a 4/10 workday.
That’s because the extended daily hours could result in fatigue, leading to decreased productivity.
2. Check Your Local Labor Laws
If you opt for a 4-day, 10-hour work schedule, it’s important to understand the overtime pay regulations specific to your state or region. Labor laws vary across states, defining rules and guidelines for overtime compensation.
For instance, in New York, overtime hours are typically compensated at a rate of 1.5 times the regular wages.
On the other hand, under California labor laws, if your compressed workweek involves shifts longer than 10 hours, you are entitled to receive overtime pay.
So, familiarize yourself with the overtime regulations outlined by your local labor laws.
3. Scheduling of Meetings
Since your work plan involves a 10-hour, four-day workweek, you may expect companies to change the times for some recurring meetings.
For example, a firm may reschedule a weekly meeting with your team from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. This ensures you have time to focus on your deep work in the mornings.
4. Study How Other Companies Implement the Four-Day
The 4-day week is still a relatively new concept that is being tested through various trials in several European countries.
Analyzing the successes and failures of this work schedule can provide valuable insights into what you can expect with a 4-day workweek.
For example, Microsoft Japan implemented a four-day workweek and reported a remarkable 40% increase in productivity. Additionally, the company observed a significant 23% reduction in electricity costs.
Advantages of the 4-Day 10-Hour Work Week
Companies that have implemented the 4/10 work system have reported highly positive outcomes. These findings demonstrate that the four-day workweek can have massive benefits for a business.
Here are some of them.
Gives You 52 Extra Days Off a Year
One of the main 4-day 10-hour workweek advantages is that it gives you 52 additional days off a year.
You can use these weekdays to unwind and:
- Spend more time with family, friends, and yourself
- Reduce expenses on daycare services
- Handle personal matters and schedule appointments
- Minimize the need to use your paid time off (PTO)
Leads to Happier and Less Stressful Routine
By implementing a four-day workweek, an extra day is added to the standard two-day weekend, providing individuals with more time to refresh, recharge, and destress.
Notably, studies conducted by Perpetual Guardian have revealed significant improvements in employees’ work-life balance during a 4-day workweek trial, with an impressive increase from 54% to 78%.
Furthermore, these studies have demonstrated a noteworthy reduction in stress levels, with a decline from 45% to 38%.
Source: Maryville University
Motivates You to Work Harder
Incorporating the 4-day workweek into your career can be a source of motivation. It gives you more time to do activities outside of work that help you relax and recharge.
Furthermore, having had additional time to relax and concentrate on your tasks, you’ll be more productive and motivated upon returning to work on Monday.
Promotes a More Balanced Gender Equality
According to the World Economic Forum, a 4/10 work schedule can enhance gender equality. It can equalize job opportunities between males and females.
Working fewer hours allows you more time to dedicate to your family, which can contribute to reducing the gender gap in the workforce.
Moreover, it can foster more job opportunities for women and promote greater gender equality, as both men and women can benefit from the balanced work conditions of a 4/10 work schedule.
Easier Commute Times
A compressed workweek helps you avoid peak commute times by arriving early at work or staying late.
For example, if you’re on a traditional work schedule, you must be at work by 9 a.m. This makes it challenging to escape the rush hour in the morning.
But if your job has a shorter week, your commute time begins earlier, at 7 a.m., which is off-peak traveling time.
(Source)
Fewer Absences
One of the disadvantages of the 9–5 work schedule is that it leaves you with a shorter weekend to manage your personal needs. So, you may take some days off during working hours, leading to lost hours in production.
In contrast, a 4/10 work plan offers you an extra day off on the weekend to run errands and meet your goals, so you don’t have to cut your workday short during business hours.
It provides you with a better work-life balance.
Creates More Job Opportunities
More and more companies are recognizing the desire of remote employees for jobs that offer greater flexibility and time to attend to personal needs.
For example, according to the Henley Business School, 67% of Gen Z Brits prefer job opportunities with a four-day workweek schedule.
Moreover, a significant 73% of Brits favor a compressed workweek. This is excellent news for you because employers are actively seeking individuals who value flexible work schedules.
Some tech firms already provide the option of a 4/10 work arrangement.
Reduces Carbon Footprint
The world is worried about excessive carbon emissions and severe climate change. A 4-day workweek can lessen these pollutants since a small number of employees will commute to work every weekday.
Also, a remote employee on a 4/10 work schedule contributes positively to a clean environment since they work from home.
One study states that the UK may reduce the country’s carbon emissions by 127 million metric tons by 2025 by implementing the 4/10 work system.
This would be the same as removing all the cars from the roads in the country.
Take Advantage of Jobs Offering a Better Work-Life Balance
A 4-day, 10-hour workweek offers several advantages for remote employees. It gives you more time to relax and address your personal or family needs.
With more free time, you can engage in activities that bring you joy, whether it’s spending quality time with friends, engaging in physical exercise, or pursuing your hobbies.
This, in turn, helps to reduce stress levels and enhance overall wellness.
If you are seeking a career that follows a 4/10 work schedule; head on to 4 Day Week remote jobs portal.
At this platform, you can discover the latest job opportunities that offer greater flexibility and customization to align with your desired work-life balance.
This article was originally posted on 4 day week — jobs with a four day workweek. Get a job with a better work-life balance.
