After home working, installed at the height of the covid-19 pandemic, and the hybrid model, which changed work relationships around the world in the post-pandemic period, the new thing in the area – some call it fashion – is the 4-hour shift. weekly working days.
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The idea began to be disseminated by a non-governmental organization, the 4 Day Week Global, which started a project piloto in the United Kingdom. In June this year, 3.300 workers from 70 British companies, from software training to fish and chip restaurants, began taking the test.
Apparently, the experiment is showing positive results: nLast week, the majority of companies participating in the test said there was no drop in performance and, in some cases, significant improvement. (*🚥)
How does the experiment work?
Workers normally receive their salaries on a 4-day working week, but in return, they need to maintain 100% of their previous productivity, obtained with five days of work per week. The trials were supported by the British government.
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A 4 Day Week Global intends to obtain support from more companies to carry out tests in the USA and Canada and begin tests later this year in Spain and Scotland.
Encouraging results
Besides 4 Day Week Global, The experience in the United Kingdom is in partnership with Think Tank Autonomy (an institution that plays an advocacy role for public policies) and researchers from the University of Cambridge, Boston College and the University of Oxford.
According to 4 Day Week Global CEO Joe O'Connor, “Organizations are contributing real-time data and knowledge that is worth its weight in gold because it serves as the foundation for the future of work.”
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“We are learning that for many it is a fairly smooth transition and for some there are some understandable obstacles – especially among those who have relatively fixed or inflexible practices, systems or cultures dating back to the last century,” he said.
88% of respondents say the four-day week is working “well” for their business at this stage of the test, 46% of respondents say their business productivity has remained close to the 'same previous level', while 34% report that 'improved slightly' and 15% say 'improved significantly; 86% of respondents stated that, at this point, they would be 'extremely likely' and/or 'likely' to maintain the new working hours after the trial period.
According to a report from The New York Times, the experience is not new: Iceland had also carried out two tests with the four-day week, between 2015 and 2019, with 2.500 public sector employees. Productivity has remained the same or improved in most workplaces. (*🚥)
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Experience in Brazil
Even though it is still far from the Brazilian reality – where the majority of the population does not have a formal job with a formal contract – the 4-day work week has already arrived here.
In July, Eva Benefícios Flexíveis, an HR Tech, began implementing a 32-hour working week as a way of improving the quality of life of employees and following the trend seen abroad.
“We understand that because we are a company that defends the importance of benefits for employees and good business performance, these changes must start with ourselves”, argues the start up’s CEO, Marcelo Lopes.
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Eva's employees have had every Friday free for just over two months to enjoy time with friends, family and pets, in addition to having a free working day to resolve personal issues, such as going to the doctor, the bank, and among other commitments.
“It is very satisfying to hear reports of how employees have been making the most of this free time. One of our employees shared that she is a single mother and that Friday became a day free of self-care for her, as she was unable to enjoy the weekend due to her commitment to doing homework with her daughter and giving due attention. Now, the day off is all hers, be it to sleep and rest, watch a movie, or go for a walk without having to worry about her daughter who is in the care of the school on weekdays.”
Marcelo Lopes
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