What would you think of a 4 day working week?

Question

Working four [4] 10 hour days...

You then have a 3 day weekend, plus it cuts energy costs, both at work & vehicles not being used.

Is this a good idea? Many workplaces are bringing this idea in.

Would this work for you?

Answer 1

Yes, I think it would work for most.

Answer 2

Yes it would work for me and I think it is a great idea as when at work I would rather stay a few hours longer and get an extra morning in bed. It would also help with the on-call work.

Answer 3

I do a 4 day week, but on continental system - 4 on - 4 off.  some of us rotate on days & nights too.  It sounds lot - but we never have any vacancies for jobs.  Work your holidays right and you can almost double the allowance.

Answer 4

I used to work 3 10 hour days. It was mt choice in an attempt to spend more time with my then little girl ( not little now ..).

In a strange way it was both one of the worst and best things that ever happened to me. Worse because the impact on the whole family was misery , we were just drudges living to work. The best because the whole experience was so dreadful it forced an epiphany within me.

I went from thinking we couldn't possibly survive without my wages for 'nice' things to realising that being at home with my little one WAS the nicest thing above everything else. I literally got off the bus I was on on my 1 and half hour commute got home, closed the door and never went back.

We still don't have 'nice' THINGS but we have a great family life. If I were single I think the idea might appeal but sometimes people see the 3 days off and fail to see that you will be that knackered you won't be able to enjoy your first day off anyway.

I'm not sure about the 'green' side of this argument either. Most peoples idea of fun on their days off is to go shopping....

Answer 5

i work 4 on 4 off 12 hour shifts

its ok as i get 4 days off but its hard work when i am at work for 12 hours at a time with the travelling too. mistakes are made when u work such long hours

Answer 6

I live and work in the UK the company I work for have in certain areas adopted this 4 day working week the job I used to do within the firm was one of them I worked in a steel forge and we have high energy costs for gas furnaces etc, but due to re structure I moved into another part of the factory and am back on a 5 day week and I do miss the long weekends it had many advantages the long weekend off, if we did overtime it was on a Friday so it still kept my weekend free the things we would normally do on a Saturday such as shopping etc could be done on a Friday freeing the full weekend up for family time and to be honest its not that hard body soon adapts and yes it cuts costs all round from companies point and from yours, if I had chance I would go back to it no question.

Answer 7

It works in theory but would not work in practise for a lot of work places such as schools, nurseries, colleges etc.

A lot of shops that arent in cities aren't open for 10 hours a day.  

Answer 8

It would work for me. I would prefer to work longer hours for 4 days and have 3 off. I am single so kids, husband etc doesn't come into it for me and so it may be easier for me than others. But the point is, if the wages were decent all across the board then we wouldn't have  to live to work.....we could possibly actually work to live! That would make people less stressed, more happy in their work and therefore more productive in the long run. Fat chance though! It's all about profit now, and NOTHING else matters.

Answer 9

Some company had try it and it didn't work.

Answer 10

Ask the French, they've been doing it for years.

Answer 11

As a retired person, I would hate it.

Answer 12

Brilliant idea, I'd definately do that. But I can't since I can only work during daylight hours in this new job.

Answer 13

Sounds great - where do I sign up?

Answer 14

why are all the best ideas so simple ? travel to work in the uk costs loads! £40+ petrol ! I'm all in favour , but some jobs are 24/7 such as shop work, nursing . in the 21st century there must be a better way forward ! don't let the ba@tards grind you down!

Answer 15

God i'd love a 4 day week but i couldn't work the 10 hours as i work in a school and i don't think that 4yr olds would last 10 hours a day at school.

Answer 16

Oh, i'd love it...i work 6 days a week...9 hour days...its not the official work timing...but everyone does it & if you don't...you get pulled up for slacking. i have a housing loan, so i don't really have a choice. The job is good, interesting, i have great work mates, it pays well & gives you time off whenever required for family & so i don't really need to complain.

Answer 17

That'd be great, and there have been many studies which have shown the more time people have to themselves, the better they perform at work. It gives them the chance to unwind, relax, collect their thoughts, and lower their stress level. I know that countries in Europe are also more lenient when it comes to time off.

Here's an article you might like about the subject from CNN.

"Those who take vacations say they're more creative and more productive for having had some time off."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/...

I hope it happens!

Answer 18

my husband works 4 nights on. 3 nights off. its better cos he can adjust his body clock better.than when he only had 2nights off.

Answer 19

I work 4 on 3 off and 6 on every 4th week right now and i love it because we work 12 hour shifts and i get 8 hours  Week overtime but I only get 20 hours overtime on a 6 day week

Answer 20

I already work a four day week!

Answer 21

My company would never allow it, it is far more concerned in making sure its useless directors and faceless shareholders make as much money a possible whilst its employees have no life and no money in their measly pay packets.

Answer 22

Would love this



Or part time hours full time pay ;)

Answer 23

I love it.

Answer 24

Haz is right and I congratulate her on her courageous decision to have less nice 'things' in place of having quality time with her husband and child.  Her child will love her for her selflessness, as the time she spends at home will be a cherished memory in years to come.  

I work 3 full days but I have to spend the time I am off compensating for what I don't get done at home, so it certainly isn't all 'me time'.  

Four 10 hour days would be gross for most women - especially those with children - instead we need maybe still 5 days but shorter hours, like maybe 3 hours per day.  

You know, this is why we have the worst rates of alcohol abuse in England than any other country.  If all you do is work, then spend your off-time working at home (laundry, cleaning etc) then there isn't time to do anything else other than open up the Gordons and pour another glass of mother's ruin.    

Answer 25

I love it. But only if not everyone did it because then it would be that much harder to make doctors' appointments or it seems like it would be. I think we should work more on being task-oriented than time-oriented. We need to slow down. So much does not need to be done immediately. That's why there is voice mail and email. The people that work the hardest and are the most proficient should be rewarded with less hours. The ones that like to slack should be given more hours with less pay.

edit: 5 days is ok as long as there is plenty of work to do. That's my biggest gripe about the place I work. I have so much idle time where I can't do anything. I can't even really help others in different departments. It's just how it is. Everyone is in the same position. It's bizarre.