Is the U.S. Ready For a 4-Day Work Week? Are You?

Seems there’s always something to talk about in terms of work – jobs, hours, working conditions, benefits ...  Earlier today, I noted a story out of msnbc.com by staff writer Eve Tahmincioglu that explores the possibility of getting away from the typical 5-day work week.

This is not new stuff - there was a push to consider this option back in the early 90's as Gen-x'rs moved into responsible positions in the workforce and started looking at working standards around the world.  It was positioned as a move that would be economic, efficient, provide life/work balance flexibility and recognition that today’s working world with all of its electronic underpinnings is not your grandfather’s world of work.   Not only was there discussion about a 'standard' 4-day work week - working 4 days at about 9.5-10 hours per day - there was also some exploration of other options such as including a "siesta" period as happens in some European and South/Central American cultures.  Some folks argued for 30-45 minutes, some for as much as 2 hours of siesta time woven into the US workday.  But, as Ms. Tahmincioglu notes, old habits - and standards - are hard to change.

According to the article, there is a "growing movement to rethink the standard five-day, 40-hour workweek that has been around in this country since the New Deal."

In some suggested plans, the entire workforce for a company works the same 4-day week, and the business is closed on the other 3 days of the week.  In other models, the workforce all works a 4-day week, but schedules are staggered so that there is coverage for customers all 5 days of the work week, or even all 7 days if it is a business that needs to provide daily access for customers or business partners.

What do you think, Easton??  Are you in favor of a 4-day work week?  Would it be a practical innovation where you work?

I'd love to hear back from you.

Brian M. Hoffman is the President and Principal Partner at Aidan Herman Partners, Inc., of North Easton.  He is an experienced professional recruiter and search consultant with more than 35 years of success as a business partner  working with hundreds of corporate clients in metro-Boston and on the South Coast-South Shore.   You can reach him at:  brian@aidanhermanpartners.com