PRODUCTIVITY = BUTT IN SEAT = 40 HOURS.. is over.

One of the most extensive studies to date (Iceland) looked at the impact of working shorter work weeks –

with NO pay reduction ….

NO negative impact on productivity …

AND while creating massive benefits for workers’ wellness.

Highlights of the study:

–Since the trial completion, 86% of the country’s workforce are working shorter hours or gaining the right to shorten their hours with no cut in pay. 

 –Productivity and service provision remained the same or improved across the majority of trial workplaces.  

 –Nearly 90% of Iceland’s working population have reduced hours or other accommodations as a result;

 –Meanwhile, worker well-being dramatically increased across a range of indicators, from perceived stress and burnout, to health and work-life balance.

The trials were revenue neutral for the city council and the government – a model for other countries – stay tuned!

Companies in U.S. and abroad are already experimenting with a shorter workweek:

 –Buffer, a social media software company, let its 89 employees work four days a week since May 2020. 

–The crowdfunding platform Kickstarter will test a four-day week for its 95 employees starting in 2022. 

 –Spain and Japan are piloting a 32-hour work week over three years in response to changing perceptions of work during Covid. 

The new world of measuring productivity should be based on “success measures” beyond 

• Is your butt in the seat?
• Can I see you typing at your computer?
• Did you attend the full meeting? (never mind if you were half asleep!)

Workers Celebrate!   Life is short and it’s about time we reinvented the rules of work, to fit the reality of what your workforce CAN ACCOMPLISH, not whether they LOGGED TIME. 

(and yes, environments such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail and food service can still be productive and ditch the time clock.) 

#CultureChange #WorkLifeBalance #CulturalAgility 

Source: Forbes.com