HOT POTATO: Four-Day Week

• Some say it’s the future of flexible working…
• …others say it’s just another trend that doesn’t work in practice.
• In this session, we’ll discuss the idea of the four-day week. Hear from agency leaders that have given it a go, and others that aren’t so keen, so you can make up your own mind on this new way of working.

“The fifth day of the week covers a multitude of sins: poor management, mis-recording of time, and the negative effects of pretending we sell billable hours…”

When the UK moved from a six-day working week to a five-day week in the 1920s, the average business saw a boom in productivity of around 20%.

Some agency leaders say transitioning to four days could result in the same, and that this could be part of the ‘great evolution’ of the way we work. 

One founder says: “Our plan is to move to a four-day week, but outputs must stay the same. Parkinson’s Law and Pareto Law both suggest we’ll end up losing minimal productivity.”

Combine that with an increased emphasis on “accountability and performance outcomes and you’ve got a recipe for gold, says another.

But not everyone is so sure. Is this true flexibility? Or is it just another ‘fad’ like unlimited holidays? 

“Personally, I don’t understand how I can get my team working less and keep charging the same or make work magically disappear,” said one uncertain agency leader. 

“To assume everyone is going to be able to become 20% more efficient seems a little far-fetched to me.”

Another also suggests the four-day week isn’t a true representation of flexible working. 

“After a while four days is going to feel exactly the same as five days, so really it’s just a plaster on what needs to be a fundamental shift to REAL flexible working.” 

What do YOU think?

We’re putting this to debate, and we need YOU to weigh in. Come along to share your thoughts and opinions, and who knows – maybe you’ll change your mind?