*This article was also posted on LinkedInPulse. You can find it here.
Today.com released an article today on the benefits of a 32-hour work week in an interview with Ryan Carson, CEO of Treehouse. According to Carson who has implemented a shorter week within his company, “….the decrease in time spent in the office has actually led to an increase in levels of productivity:”
Carson goes on to say “There’s no rule that you have to work 40 hours, you have to work more to be successful.”
Gallup reports the 40-Hour work week is actually nonexistent. In fact, half of all full-time workers indicate they typically work more than 40 hours, and nearly four in 10 say they work at least 50 hours.
Working more hours does not necessarily mean one is more productive. The moment workers sacrifice sleep for work, their mental and physical efforts decrease due to fatigue. Employees who spend more time at work are more likely to make mistakes and negatively impact the workplace.
Most people work more hours because they believe it will give them job security when in fact it does not. The truth is, most employees who give more without receiving recognition for it end up becoming resentful. These behaviors contribute greatly to high-turnover and absenteeism.
In an earlier blog I discussed the impact salary has on job satisfaction and balancing one’s lifestyle. Salaried employees often feel that they need to give more to prove they are worth the pay and hourly workers tend to work more to get more pay, not necessarily to do a better job. Now while salary does provide many things, it does not stop time. It does not give us back the time we often need away from work to sleep, travel or share with loved ones – birthing resentment.
The time we spend away from work is necessary to refresh our minds and body. It helps us to become more productive while we are in the workplace.
So I ask you, do you believe employees can be more productive within a 32-Hours work week?
Does having a 3-day weekend inspire workers to become more engaged and be motivated in the workplace?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.