Does a 4-day work week really work?

Many companies in the US and Canada have or are considering implementing a four day work week. The reason is to save on energy costs and be environmentally friendly by reducing the greenhouse gases given off by commuters in cars. The benefit to workers is more time to relax and spend time with their families or enjoying their lives outside the office. The challenge is to implement the shorter work week without shortening the pay. Most employers just have workers working longer hours.

Some employers are worried about worker productivity dropping with a shorter work week but studies are finding that workers are much in favor of the shortened week. However, workers like the idea of a voluntarily versus mandatory four day work week. They seem to like the four day work week to be one of many options offered in a company’s flexible work plans. Flexible work plans go a long way to show a company’s support of an employee right to work/life balance.