Across many parts of the world the four-day work week is not uncommon, in fact, itsโs become a huge hit. Employees are producing 100% work results in less time giving them more free time to focus on their personal and family lives.
A joint initiative between 4 Day Week Global and the 4 Day Week SA Coalition is inviting South African businesses to trial a new working model in 2023 โ with planning to start as early as November 2022. The model suggests 100% of the pay for 80% of the time in exchange for a commitment to delivering 100% of the output. In addition to supporting workers and empowering them, the model has a positive impact on societies and the environment as well. The biggest roll-out of the four-day week trial was launched in the United Kingdom earlier this year, where over 70 companies are currently experimenting with the new way of working. Responses on the UKโs progress of this model have been positive so far:
- 88% of respondents stated that the four-day week is working โwellโ for their business at this stage in the trial.
- 46% of respondents say their business productivity has โmaintained around the same levelโ, while 34% report that it has โimproved slightlyโ, and 15% say it has โimproved significantly.
- 86% of respondents stated that at this juncture in the trial, they would be โextremely likelyโ and or โlikelyโ to consider retaining the four-day week policy after the trial period.
The big question now is whether or not South Africa is ready for this. The four-day work week could offer a unique solution to unemployment while taking the pressure off South Africaโs stressed-out workers. Using the four-day work week concept, employees will have more energy, be happier, and be more productive if they don’t have to work five days a week. Allowing workers an extra day to gather themselves, rest and catch up on other aspects of their lives has already been proven to create better, happier workers in other countries.
The four-day work week is a huge opportunity to show innovative thinking, specifically in the digital and tech industry where finding skills and highly experienced staff is difficult. The challenge is that South Africa traditionally has an old-school mindset around work and work expectations.
Sources: Businesstech, 2022 and Ayanda Ntuli (EWN), 2022
