Microsoft tried a 4-day workweek in Japan. Productivity jumped 40%
(CNN Business) —
A growing number of smaller companies are adopting a four-day workweek. Now the results of a recent trial at Microsoft (MSFT) suggest it could work even for the biggest businesses. The company introduced a program this summer in Japan called the “Work Life Choice Challenge,” which shut down its offices every Friday in August and gave all employees an extra day off each week. The results were promising: While the amount of time spent at work was cut dramatically, productivity — measured by sales per employee — went up by almost 40% compared to the same period the previous year, the company said in a statement last week. In addition to reducing working hours, managers urged staff to cut down on the time they s… Continue Reading (2 minute read)
Employers need to ask themselves: Do I trust my employees to get the job done in an acceptable way delivering what I need them to be OR do I want to be in the “hall monitor” business keeping tabs on where they are and how much time they spend doing it?
Did they keep it going?
My company switched to 9/80 and getting a Friday off every two weeks has significantly changed my stress level.
The way these discussion tend to go:
But we have to pay them more per hour.
Yes, but they produce the same.
So, why don’t they produce more if we use 40 hours? People are just lazy, we need to lower their wages.
Is it 4/10s or 4/8s?