Does a four-day workweek make more sense than working a traditional 9-to-5 job from Monday through Friday? That's what one CEO in Vancouver believes when he takes every Friday off as a free day and chooses not to work. Perhaps he's on to something, as overworking is often associated with various health problems for employees.
Brian Scudamore
Brian Scudamore, founder and CEO of home services company O2E brands, faced a total burnout in 2004 when a heap of issues came into his life. He was busy trying to grow his first business, 1-800-Got-Junk, while trying to take care of a newborn baby and going through a divorce. Going through a daily 7-to-7 grind as a business professional and leader didn't work. That's when Scudamore got a revolutionary idea — take every Friday off as a free day to do what he pleased.
Free Day and Think Day
Every Friday off is a free day in Scudamore's world, and he encourages every employee at O2E Brands to do that as well. Instead of watching the clock, the freethinkers at the Canadian company decide to set goals on their own terms and in their own time frames. In addition to a Friday off for free day, workers get Monday each week as a think day; that's the day when everyone identifies the biggest priorities for the coming week and month. The other three days of the week include lots of hard work.
Fewer Days, Better Workers
Having every Friday off goes along with a lot of research into how a four-day workweek affects employees. Working longer hours leads to less time for exercise, spending time with family and enjoying life in general. Unhappy workers are unhealthy workers, and longer hours at the office can contribute to severe health problems, including depression, stroke and heart problems.
People overburdened with work have a lack of focus, more stress and greater absenteeism. Although offering health insurance may help alleviate some of these issues for workers, people who work longer hours tend to cost employers more when it comes to health insurance premiums. Employee health is just one aspect of a work environment that business professionals can take back thanks to shorter workweeks.
Increased Happiness, Increased Revenue
Employees who take more time off may actually lead to better revenue streams and profits for companies. Henry Ford cut back on his firm's production schedule and doubled the salaries of his employees. Following that move, Ford's business boomed to become the world's leading automaker back in the early 20th century. Contemporary business leaders should take note of Ford's success story and consider reducing the hours employees work.
Around 14 percent of small companies offer workers a chance to clock in four days per week, 10 hours per day, as a benefit. Maybe a Friday off concept is gaining traction as more firms realize the most important asset of the firm is the human component above all else.
Photo courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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