The Three Day Work Week: Why settle for Four?

The great depression of 2008-2009 helped renew the discussion over a possible move to a four day work week. A year ago Utah authorities announced an experiment cutting off a full workday for most state employees by closing on Fridays in an effort to reduce energy costs. The revolution here was that salaries and work hours weren’t cut. Employees continued working 40 hours a day by starting earlier and staying later. The perk was that on Friday they could lay in, didn’t need to commute and had a long three day weekend to look forward to.
The results of the twelve month experiment were surprising. Apart from the financial success of the venture, the participants found the change so beneficial that sick leave dropped and the workers themselves claimed feeling healthier due to more spare time available in the local gym. The new schedule only bothered parents with young children.
I would hereby like to suggest that we take Utah’s initiative one step further by pushing for a three day week. It is my belief that the balance between work and play should lean towards the latter. In a three day week environment, work becomes more of a part time hobby than a full time bother. In my scenario a workspace is shared by two workers – one working Monday thru Wednesday, the other Thursday to Saturday in rotation. Another option is to work alternative days. On office days each worker  puts in 11 work hours from 8 to 7. Five to six more hours a week are spent on-line at home, at the beach or anywhere convenient, mostly reading and answering emails. As these home hours are spent without interruption from fellow workers, the work is much more efficient. Due to the reduced overheads, companies can allow workers to work for 2 hours a week  less without cutting salaries.  The advantages are enormous. The three day week cuts commuting to a minimum and utilizes the work space to the maximum.  Necessary office space is cut in half as each pair of employees share a single work unit or office, cutting rent, electricity, building maintenance and more.   Now all it takes is one brave company to adopt the idea and save and we’re in business.
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