The workplace is constantly evolving, and one of the recent changes is the rise of the four-day work week. But can it work in every sector? For insurance brands it’s worth noting the risks posed by tired employees working longer shifts, or empty office premises.
This more condensed working style isn’t just a pleasant perk for employees; according to recent research, it could actually be a powerful draw for Gen Z talent.
That said, employability experts warn that while this may be great for attracting top-tier candidates, there are downsides to consider too, such as inequality, increased workload, and stress.
Guy Thornton, founder of Practice Aptitude Tests, has weighed these pros and cons, as well as outlining which industries may not benefit from it.
Industries a four-day week will not work for:
Hospitality
Hospitality is a 24/7 industry, similar to healthcare. If a four-day work week were implemented in hospitality, it could trigger a negative domino effect impacting other industries.
The most significant issues would arise during peak seasons, such as half-term breaks, summer holidays, and winter breaks, leading to inadequate coverage during these busy times for businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and other recreational services.
Healthcare
The demands and requirements in the healthcare sector make a four-day week a challenging fit. This is largely due to healthcare facilities needing to provide 24/7 care.
Healthcare is required around the clock, especially in emergency scenarios, which means that reducing hours for emergency services compromises patient care and public safety. Furthermore, healthcare requires continuity, especially for vulnerable patients who require ongoing treatment from specifically trained practitioners.
Veterinary Practices
Similar to healthcare, our furry and four-legged family members require around-the-clock emergency services and care. While a four-day week could work for practices that offer routine care, reduced availability for emergency surgeries could pose a fatal risk.
Pet owners will understand the need for urgent care if something is wrong; as we cannot communicate with animals, there must be trained vets who can help if something is wrong.
Retail
Retail stores are usually required to be open seven days a week to meet customer demand, which usually peaks on weekends and holiday periods; therefore, reducing hours will impact customers and can lead to lost sales.
Furthermore, the industry relies on complex supply chains from external wholesalers and suppliers. This suggests that a four-day week will disrupt supply chains and can affect the availability of products for customers.
Agriculture
Agricultural work such as farming is very time-sensitive and requires planting, harvesting, and caring for livestock at different times depending on the crop.
Fewer workdays will disrupt these essential activities, leading to reduced crop yields and economic losses.
The supermarket industry relies heavily on agriculture for fruits and vegetables that are sold nationwide, so the reduced yields of fruits and vegetables will have a nationwide impact.
Transportation
Transportation is required 24/7 for public transit, shipping, and logistics, and a disruption to this will impact nearly every industry, from people who commute to work or transportation of medical equipment to hospitals.
A reduced work week and compressed hours also pose a risk to public safety. A compressed week will result in longer shifts, which can increase fatigue and the risk of accidents, especially in roles involving heavy machinery or focus, such as pilots and train operators.
Pros of a four-day week
Employee retention and satisfaction
The novelty of after-work drinks or late/early starts can wear off, so offering an additional day off is likely to increase job satisfaction and decrease turnover. A reduction in turnover can help keep costs low as opposed to having to train new staff.
Productivity Increase
A four-day week results in less time, which means employees must prioritise tasks more effectively and efficiently if they want to reap the benefits of an extra day off. This will ultimately encourage employees to work harder to reach their KPIs and goals.
Improved Work-Life Balance
The extra day off allows more time for personal activities, hobbies, and relaxation, which can reduce burnout and stress and improve their overall well-being.
Attraction of talent
The added benefit of a four-day week has a huge appeal and can attract top talent from across the country to apply for positions at companies that offer an additional day off. This acts as a competitive advantage from a business perspective, as the pool of applicants will be vast.
Cons of a four-day week
Inequality
As aforementioned, the four-day week will not be suitable for all sectors and job types. People who work part-time may not benefit from a four-day work week, especially if their hours or salaries are impacted due to the compressed hours of someone who works full-time.
Increased workload and stress
A four-day week follows the 100:80:100 model, where employees are paid 100% of their salaries and work 80% of their previous hours but ensure their outcome is at 100%.
To maintain the same output in fewer days, they will need to work harder; this can lead to possible fatigue and stress, which counteracts the purpose of a four-day week.
Pressure on Public Services
A four-day workweek in the public sector can put a strain on services such as healthcare, ambulance, and police or fire services. For example, there will likely be a demand for overtime, as organisations may need to schedule additional shifts to maintain the availability of the services.
There could also be an impact on service or quality; the long hours can lead to burnout, which will impact overall quality; this can become a problem for roles that require high levels of attention and accuracy.
Employer Costs and Impact
Some smaller firms and businesses may struggle with a four-day week, especially those in retail that may experience a loss in sales. Whilst larger firms may not have this issue, smaller firms may also struggle to cover additional staff costs as the workload increases.
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