Is The US Ready For a 4 Day Work Week?

According to an article published by SHRM, support for a 4 day work week has been gaining steam in Europe, with researchers from several major universities launching a pilot program that has led many employers to adopt a new schedule maintaining 40 hours-worth of pay for employees who put in 32 hours of work. 

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A separate survey of senior managers in Canada revealed that more than 9 out of 10 respondents preferred a 4 day workweek. 

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Data about the feasibility of a shift to a 4 day workweek in the US is somewhat more difficult to come by, but there have been successful pilot programs on a smaller scale here as well, including many Texas school districts that have already made the change to a 4 day schedule.

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Managing HR Director for One Digital believes that the pandemic has perhaps permanently altered work-life balance expectations, which may make the ultimate transition to a 4 day workweek more likely than not. Still, much like when the 40 hour workweek was originally implemented, however, intervention on the part of the federal government may be necessary to facilitate and enforce that transition. 

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You can read more about the topic here.

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