Do you know the conditional 4-day week?

Damn job! is a segment where Oliver Schmouker answers your toughest questions [et les plus pertinentes] In the modern business world… and, of course, its quirks. Appointment to read Tuesday And yet Thursdays. Do you want to participate? Send us your question at [email protected]

Q. – “Coffee breaks, lively meetings, giggles… Needless to say, everyday life at work is much more pleasant when everyone comes to the office every day. I still don’t understand anyone who prefers to do their laundry or shop online, instead of these beautiful moments of relaxation…” – Anne-Marie

A. – Dear Anne-Marie, The pandemic has changed many things, especially our way of working. And that necessarily includes its share of satisfied people (better balance between work and personal life, less time commuting between home and office, etc.) as well as its share of unhappy people like you (less contact, Zoom fatigue, etc.).

Now, many employers are scrambling to get employees back into the workplace. This is because they believe that nothing beats face-to-face exchange, “guaranteeing individual and collective performance”. Added to this is the frustrating fact that they have to pay crazy prices for mostly empty workspaces.

The result? The current trend is to force employees to return to the office as often as possible, ideally 100% of the time. Just like in the good old days.

But here’s the thing, is forcing an employee to do work that doesn’t enchant him the best way to get his 110%? I strongly doubt that…

So what to do? Well, it seems there is an alternative that will please almost everyone, employers and employees alike! yes yes…

I found her in a recent survey conducted by Hayes, a recruitment firm in Great Britain. In fact, we found that 62% of the roughly 11,000 employees surveyed would agree to work 100% of the time in the office, but only on the condition that they switch to a four-day week!

In other words, the idea is simple: Employers, adopt a four-day week and you’ll see that most of your employees will no longer be on breaks to return to the office. Because the deal is win-win.

How to explain that many employees are willing to draw the line under telework and hybrid mode? The survey provides several answers:

– 89% of employees believe a four-day week is beneficial for mental health and well-being.

– 59% of them feel positive about personal efficiency and overall productivity.

– 44% felt it would improve the company’s reputation and increase its attractiveness to talented people looking for a new job.

That’s not all.

– 92% of those who take advantage of the four-day week indicate that their personal quality of life has improved.

– and 84%, it had a positive impact on their professional life.

As we can see, such significant gains more than offset the deficits linked to 100% return to office.

Now, which four-day week formula is the most popular? The survey brought to light the fact that there really isn’t one formula that is more popular than the rest.

– In 38% of cases, no one works on Friday or Monday. So everyone has three-day weekends.

– In 31% cases, the day off varies from week to week. Most often, the manager decides for each person according to the needs of the team.

– In 16% cases, everyone can take the day they want.

– Finally, in 15% of cases, there are slight differences in the three principles presented above.

A final point worth underlining: when we talk about a four-day week, we’re talking about four working days in a regular period, paid in five (and therefore without a pay cut). It is not a question of lengthening the working days so that workers can complete their five days in just four.

Finally, what do employers say about this alternative? A 100% return to the office instead of a four-day week? From the beginning, 34% of them said they were ready to sign such an agreement. Yes, you read that right: 1 in 3 owners are already willing to accept this deal! Undoubtedly, this ratio will skyrocket if the pioneers ever step forward and see the positive consequences that come their way…

So, Anne-Marie? How about a four-day week if it allows you to reconnect with your colleagues over coffee breaks and giggles? do you climb If so, I invite you to have your manager read this column. Anyone know? This can make many people in your organization happy…