71–80 of 198 posts
We both get close to an extra 2 months a year with our son, which is phenomenal.
One thing I wouldn’t recommend is having a Wednesday off - it’s what I’ve had to do, and I find it a big interruption to my week & flow, a Monday or Friday would be better.
No, the market cant handle that right now. A 4 day work week happens because of market forces. Companies don't need to offer perks unless they cant attract enough applicants or retain their top talent. We just saw this last year that companies done need anymore applicants. We are also seeing now that companies don't even care which part of their talent they keep. There might be a class divide coming that would includ…
The entire point of this is that productivity does not go down in a 4 day workweek and retention goes up. As an employer, you get the same amount of output, happier employees, and better retention. Everyone says they’re a data driven business until the data tells them something they don’t believe.
Just an anecdote, but: my productivity definitely took a huge hit when I reduced my hours to 4days/week. All of the "working harder/more efficiently/more focused" doesn't help if you already worked hard/efficiently/focused. If you have a job with a lot of slack/downtime/waiting time... Sure. But sometimes, working 20% less means that 20% less work gets done.
If my company would switch to 4-day workweek I would use the extra time to work another job.
I’m curious what the logical extreme of this is. Why 4 days? Why not 3 days? 2 days? 1 day? No days? When do we hit the equilibrium level between less work resulting in meaningfully less output? Were these jobs ever needed?
People being free to choose their own hours and schedules provided they meet the performance targets required to justify their compensation.
As it is, the current 8 hour work day is really a 9 hour work day since lunchtime is not considered part of that 8 hour day, so if employees take that into consideration, it becomes an 11 hour day (or 13+ hours including commute).
P.S. anybody remember when we used to also work saturdays? Can't be just me...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
well how long ago was the 5 day work week established as the standard? how long do you reckon it'll be before a 4 day work week is standard? do you think an additional day off takes less time than the prior one took to get? the same time as the prior one? more time than the prior one? i feel like you're getting way ahead of yourself and remarking on events that have only taken place in your mind.
> how long ago was the 5 day work week established as the standard? We work unusually hard compared to our ancestors [1]. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvk_XylEmLo&t=1482s
https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28...
Also: ancient Rome, one day off in eight, revolutionary France, one day off in ten, Han China, one day off in five.
I know people think a 4 day work week is the bees knees, but I'm not sure I would enjoy working a 10 hour day (assuming we are still expected to work a nominal 40 hour week). With commute, it means 12 hours+ a day, so less time for fitness or post-work de-stress. As it is, the current 8 hour work day is really a 9 hour work day since lunchtime is not considered part of that 8 hour day, so if employees take that into…
On the other hand from experience I can say that doing a 32hr workweek in 4 days is, in fact, the bees knees.
I know people think a 4 day work week is the bees knees, but I'm not sure I would enjoy working a 10 hour day (assuming we are still expected to work a nominal 40 hour week). With commute, it means 12 hours+ a day, so less time for fitness or post-work de-stress. As it is, the current 8 hour work day is really a 9 hour work day since lunchtime is not considered part of that 8 hour day, so if employees take that into…
Personally, for my own personal startup, I work 4-5 days a week, 4-6 hours a day, so 20-30 hours a week and I'm getting more work done than I did in 4-8s.
The real reduction of stress is invaluable for me to make good decisions and write code both fast, well and with minimal bugs (which just mean more wasted time).
I know people think a 4 day work week is the bees knees, but I'm not sure I would enjoy working a 10 hour day (assuming we are still expected to work a nominal 40 hour week). With commute, it means 12 hours+ a day, so less time for fitness or post-work de-stress. As it is, the current 8 hour work day is really a 9 hour work day since lunchtime is not considered part of that 8 hour day, so if employees take that into…
The "4 day work week", as I understand it, is not 4x10s. It's 4x8's to reduce overall stress and mental load while still retaining the same amount of productivity. Personally, for my own personal startup, I work 4-5 days a week, 4-6 hours a day, so 20-30 hours a week and I'm getting more work done than I did in 4-8s. The real reduction of stress is invaluable for me to make good decisions and write code both fast, we…
Bouts of near-burn out are infrequent and I can manage through them. The work still gets done and I don’t feel trapped at work.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The entire point of this is that productivity does not go down in a 4 day workweek and retention goes up. As an employer, you get the same amount of output, happier employees, and better retention. Everyone says they’re a data driven business until the data tells them something they don’t believe.
> The entire point of this is that productivity does not go down in a 4 day workweek Just an anecdote, but: my productivity definitely took a huge hit when I reduced my hours to 4days/week. All of the "working harder/more efficiently/more focused" doesn't help if you already worked hard/efficiently/focused. If you have a job with a lot of slack/downtime/waiting time... Sure. But sometimes, working 20% less means that…
Most people are nowhere close to working fully focused 8 hours a day, and may also benefit from more time to recharge. Others benefit less. The average probably matters more for the company (also shorter work hours will improve retention, or allow you to pay lower wages to compete etc).