5 day workweeks: Are they overrated?
The idea of working anything less than five days a week seems non existent. Well at least in New Zealand anyway but to my surprise there are many countries that work four day weeks and some even suggest this has increased productivity - Could this be true?
Happy people are more productive.
Its simple, right? A happy person is going to get stuck in and work happily whereas a not-so-happy person kind of procrastinates.
An article I found here suggests more hours spent working does not lead to better results and actually studies have shown a direct correlation between happiness and productivity.
Were right!! we only need to work four days a week, I can have extra long weekends now 😁 ...not quite. As can be imagined, there are issues.
Although a shorter workweek may increase productivity, there can be difficulties with sick leave and reallocation of work within fewer days.
Reduced days worked but not hours could effect the worker's physical and mental wellbeing having burned out after super long days, having the extra day divided across the remaining four days worked.
Longer hours work could essentially impose new or further financial burdens on working parents as well as possibly conflicting with childcare hours.
When weighing out the pros and cons, it looks like Germany has got their priorities straight because studies show germans work approx 35 hours a week 😮 with an average salary of $51,000 😍 and even better - the country's unemployment rate is at 5% (*this figure is given from an article here and may have been updated since publishing)
As well as Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Ireland also work four day workweeks. Europe is kinda sounding really nice to me at the moment 😁
If your business needs to be available to the public at all times, eg supermarkets or retail stores, shift work is understandably better suited.
So to my hospo and retail friends, we appreciate you. We salute you.
All images used are not mine except this one - This is me on what could be my third day of the weekend :)
What's a weekend?
When you are a contractor all notions of the working week go out the window.
I typically work every day, sometimes long ours every day, just to make ends meet.
On the plus side, it does provide the opportunity to have a short day or a no work day.
The downside is that if i don't work I don't get paid.
So there are swings and roundabouts here.
I think ti best solution is to let the employee decide (wherever possible) what hours / days they want to work.
I used to work from 7am to 3pm and it was awesome in summer time. Not so god in winter though. ;-)
Aw cheers for your input @trevor.george! Yeah, that does sound pretty stink especially all your hard work to make ends meet. Perhaps thats a pro and con of being your own boss - work the hours you want but youve gotta do all the hard yards.
I apologise as I was thinking quite selfishly and just thought about office or mon - fri jobs. Being in an office everyday, you forget 😁
I wish you nothing but success and happiness my friend :) Paid days off for everyone!
No need to apologize. I did 9-5 for many years, and did massive hours in other full time jobs as well.
I love being a contractor. When the money is good and work is plentiful, you know that when it gets quiet you can just take time off and chill and you don't have to ask anyone for permission.
Like - at the end of May a mate of mine is moving from Dunedin to Tauranga, so I'm thinking I'll go down and drive up the West Coast with him - just two lads off on an adventure.
Being a contractor gives me the freedom to do that, and I love that part of it.
@!$?! did you just say dunedin to tauranga?! 😳 firstly, what are the chances I find another kiwi so early in my steemit journey, mint!! 😁🤙🏽 and secondly, what are the chances you'll be going to Tauranga which is where I live hahaha trippy alright!!
A coasty cruise sounds like a mean way to spend a bit of time off work. Just two lad on an adventure - Dont forget to show steemit how much of a beauty nz is 😁
I'm gona give ya a follow man, good stuff!!
Oh, I didn't realize you were new ;-)
Welcome to Steemit :-)
I'm not sure if I'll make it all the way up to Tauranga. I live in Wellington, so my mate will stay here for a few days, catch up with family and then head on up country.
I'm really looking forward to getting down there and hooking up with him again for a few laughs. We go a long way back. i was the best man at his wedding and we was at mine.
And I'm trying to hook him into some crazy adventure plans I'm cooking up. When better than on a road trip past some of the best pubs in the country? hehehe
Exactly!! Sounds like yous will have a mint time. I'm not sure if I have any favourite pubs but then again, any pub is best if you make it best 😁🍻 cheers big ears!!
Better than shortening your work week, companies should be aiming to improve the quality of the work environment for their employees to boost productivity. Having an open floor plan with a lot of natural light has been shown to improve work quality. There are many other amenities that many companies can afford to give their employees and should look into this. It's short sided of companies not to invest in their employees.
what kind of job would benefit from an open plan natural light work environment for example?
Yes, some companies need to invest in their employees more but my concerns with working a five day week is working 40+ hours a week and only being able to spend time with family and friends on the other two days a week and sadly during the nights after work.
Even with an amazing work environment, working 40+ hours steals time from you. Even if you enjoy your job, which I do absolutely love my job, youre still being taken away from spending time with family to 'earn money' just to live. I dont see the sense in that?
And then to work 40+ hours until your 65 (our retirement age is supposed to increase to 68 🙄)
Thanks for your opinion though @tabislick :) I can see your relevance and where youre coming from.
Jobs in information technology or any other office job would benefit from this. Now if you already work outside, this may sound like crap because you're body is getting too much sun. Too much sun tends to make us cranky. Too little sun tends to make us sleepy and less productive. For office workers, there are endless studies that show people are happier and more productive in office spaces with more windows/natural light.
Yes, jobs do take us away from those we love.
We work our butts off until we're too old to even care or remember. I hope you find the work-life balance you're looking for!