Is shorter workweek the future?

FIRST IN THE WORLD: The UAE has changed the weekend and also shortened the workweek. It's a two-in-one move and a world-first. With it, the UAE has become the first country in the world to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day week. Among the changes, the school week will change in the UAE from January 1, 2022.

WEEKEND CHANGE. It’s not the UAE's first weekend change. Weekends in the country have been changed several times over the years. From 1971 to 1999, the UAE adopted Friday as a weekly holiday. From 1999 to 2006, Thursday was added to the weekend to become two days. From 2006 to 2021, the weekend was changed to Friday and Saturday. In 2022, the latest weekend for the public sector will be on Saturday, Sunday, and half of Friday. The 4-1/2 day workweek kicks in on January 1, 2022.

INSTITUTIONALISED: It's the first time any country has shortened the workweek from 5 days to 4-1/2 days, thereby making it a global pioneer in shortened workweek. Some companies in other countries, or certain states, have tried a shorter workweek. But so far, only the UAE has instituted a shorter workweek on a nationwide scale. Research suggests people get more done when they work fewer hours, and less done when they work more hours.

BENEFITS: The idea behind a shorter workweek is to achieve the same results in fewer hours so people have more time to pursue other interests, spend time with loved ones, and manage their lives. Companies could benefit through increased productivity, decreased worker burnout, and lower turnover, among other positives.

RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS: The results from experiments of certain companies suggest that when long working hours are reduced, individual productivity increases, and fewer mistakes are made at work. This might happen because workers recover from fatigue and start work with increased energy and focus.

UK EXPERIMENT: A four-day workweek has been tried by certain companies in the UK. Last month, the UK's Atom Bank has adopted a four-day work week for its 430 employees, reducing weekly hour requirements from 37.5 hours to 34, and the extra day off is voluntary. Other firms have done such experiments in regional offices or departments, but Atom's move is across the board.


JAPAN EXPERIMENT: In Japan, known for its hard-working workforce, Microsoft tested a shorter workweek. Productivity soared 40%. The test run boosted sales per employee by 40% compared to the same month a year earlier. gulfnews.com/1.1572937857651

NEW ZEALAND EXPERIMENT: Perpetual Guardian, a firm that manages trusts and estates in New Zealand, instituted a four-day week and kept wages the same. It said productivity increased among its staff when working hours were reduced to 32 hours from 40. The company has considered making the change permanent.

US EXPERIMENT: In 2009, Utah found surprising benefits in four-day workweek. One effect seen: improved offering of government services online. It was also better for the environment. Despite the unexpected boosts to productivity and worker satisfaction, the state abandoned the scheme in September 2011, after citizens and businesses complained to lawmakers about the inconvenience of state offices being closed on Fridays. In the end, legislators backtracked on the experiment. [gulfnews.com/1.2277450]

SWEDISH EXPERIMENT: The government ran a controlled experiment at the Svartedalens retirement home in Gothenburg, Sweden where they had their staff working for six hours in a day but got paid for eight. They compared the data with another group in a similar facility and the results were surprising. The Swedish government discovered that the six-hour workday has lots of benefits for the employees. Some of these benefits include:Productivity boost, improved health, stress reduction and greater employee engagement. The problem: It was found “too expensive”.

AMAZON EXPERIMENT: Some US companies have tried shorter workweeks. In 2016, Amazon tested a small pilot programme for a 30-hour workweek, where the online retail giant’s staff worked reduced hours, though for reduced pay. Amazon’s experiment calls for a 30-hour workweek for three small teams with a few dozen part-time employees who will work Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. The employees will be salaried and receive the same benefits as full-time employees, and also have the option to transition into full-time employment.

KPMG EXPERIMENT: KPMG, the Global audit, tax and advisory giant, offers US employees the option of a four-day workweek — arranged between employees and their managers. It was found the employee satisfaction goes way up when they have control over their time. It also increases employee morale and productivity and retention, Barbara Wankoff, KPMG’s director of workplace solutions told CNN.

FRENCH EXPERIMENT: France has created a law giving workers the “right to disconnect.” It requires companies with more than 50 employees to negotiate a new protocol to ensure that work does not spill into after-work hours, an effort to prevent cases of burnout, which officials say are becoming more prevalent. French law prescribes that the standard workweek in France is 35 hours per week. Anything beyond this is considered overtime.

PARADIGM SHIFT: Similar experiments in Spain, Finland as well as the pandemic-driven lockdowns demonstrate a global paradigm shift in how people view the nature of work. Pilot studies show workers reported anywhere from a 25% to 40% boost in productivity, less need to take sick days, more time to spend with family and children and less money spent on childcare. A better morale was also seen from a more flexible or shortened workweek.