
The potential to cut a day of work from the five-day schedule without lowering pay is a good deal for staff. Thus, Fox Business reported that various studies show employees like the idea of a four-day workweek, specifically in light of increasing cases of burnout.
Although some experts have stated that a shorter work week might be a good solution for some sectors, some are skeptical and say its broad adoption would not be viable in the U.S.
According to Sunny Bonnell, CEO of branding agency Motto, there is truth in the saying, "working smarter, not harder." Research indicates that well-rested and motivated workers have increased productivity and creativity. Bonnell noted that a four-day workweek can encourage employees to "prioritize high-value tasks, minimize distractions and focus on outcomes rather than hours worked."
Bonnell said that firms with forward-thinking and people-focused philosophies, including tech or creative sectors, would probably be the first to use shorter workweeks to boost worker morale and stop burnout. Such firms could experience higher retention rates and increased productivity as their staff operates in an environment that supports balance and innovation instead of pure hours. Bonnell added that a shorter workweek can also positively affect the environment by limiting employee commute days.
Julia Hobsbawm, a workplace futurist and author who predicted hybrid work years before COVID, stated that the movement for a system that would mean a 20% reduction in working hours for 100% pay "is commendable, but I don't think it will work."
Hobsbawm said the current labor market cannot be compared to Henry Ford's 40-hour-week workforce, pointing out that with new technology, some employees bring their work home due to email and smart devices. This means their working hours extend beyond the workday.
Hobsbawm noted that many firms experimenting with the four-day week schedule have systems that are on a relaxed four-day schedule. Instead, these firms are developing flexible work arrangements that cater to individual employees' and firms' needs. For instance, some workers may work two half-days instead of one day off.
"I think the four-day work week movement will join the likes of campaigns for universal basic income and remain a bit of a niche, but can still influence businesses as a whole," Hobsbawm noted.
Preston Taylor, head of people and culture at Human Capital Management (HCM) startup Helios, thinks there are positives to the four-day workweek but also thinks that this work schedule "would struggle to be successful in a much larger economy and work-obsessed culture like we have in the U.S."
He added that it could be applied l successfully in certain U.S. industries, including tech, government and finance. However, it would cause significant disruptions and increased expenses for other sectors such as healthcare, retail, manufacturing and some other service-based firms dependent on production schedules, significant customer service needs and organizations that must operate 24/7.
Cardone Capital CEO Grant Cardone told FOX Business that the four-day week would be a disaster for this country, which already has “exported too many jobs to other countries with better work ethic."
Cardone added that the housing sector, for instance, cannot survive on a four-day workweek and inquired how the U.S. could keep up with the already-short supply of homes if the country used such a work schedule.
Cardone also stated that reducing the number of workdays in a week would only precipitate the process of robot technology and artificial intelligence taking over humans in the office.