In organizations in which a shorter workweek has been implemented, nearly two-thirds (64%) of leaders reported increases in staff productivity and work quality due to a reduction of sick days and overall increased well-being. Another benefit to well-being, respondents noted, was the reduction of commutes. One less day at work helps make the weekly commute more bearable. — Harvard Business Review
Alternative work schedules have been a topic of discussion for quite some time now, especially in European countries. Could this model work well in the architecture industry? Looking to other industries may provide some insights.
"In organizations in which a shorter workweek has been implemented, nearly two-thirds (64%) of leaders reported increases in staff productivity and work quality due to a reduction of sick days and overall increased well-being. Another benefit to well-being...was the reduction of commutes," write Ben Laker and Thomas Roulet, both organizational business leaders.
While the benefits are broad, the setbacks are also. Leaders have brought up concerns with this new approach with aspects like, "regulations regarding work contracts, and the associated bureaucracy to implement the four-day week, as well as challenges around staffing." This coupled with the fact that some workers expressed concern "regarding the way they will be seen by their peers and superiors" for working a compressed week show the progressive approach to be held in some discomfort.
Like many new ideas, the 4-Day Workweek presents both pros and cons. Can it work in architecture? It seems it's safe to say that it is a controversial prospect that could provide both positive and negative results.
I have been running an office for 25 years and we have done a 4 day ( 10 hr days ) work week for 20 years. We work on residential / commercial and industrial projects and have no problem managing the projects. It's more about managing the clients that is the issue, once they are aware they have no issue generally going along with the flow of who is in the office and who is not in. Of course I am in everyday but hopefully look to check out a bit more often as I edge closer to retirement.
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These discussions have to consider the whole ecosystem of customers, suppliers, partners etc. One organization might find it difficult to implement a 4-day workweek if its collaborators and clients are running on 5 or even 6 days.
it can work when we're not busy. Wouldn't really work when we are busy.
It would require a soup-to-nuts re-balancing of contracts, fees, staffing, scheduling, etc.
Short answer: yes! Architects can do it.
My friend works at a smaller architecture firm that has been doing the 4-day work week as long as he has been there (4-5 years). I'm envious he gets a whole day to off each week, which he currently uses to study. Perhaps it's a bit more suitable to firms that do primarily residential housing? Or perhaps it's a more natural fit for firms in cities with laid-back work cultures?
4 8-hour days or 4 10-hour days?
I did a year of four 10 hour days, Monday to Thursday and it was nice. It was definitely better than the “summer hours” that a lot of firms do where Monday - Thursday are 9 hour days and Friday is a half day. I’ve since moved and have a longer commute, so 8 hour days are currently better suited to my current situation.
The Friday half-day thing is bullshit, especially when the senior staff have a habit of overloading the juniors so that even if they WANTED to leave they have too much work to do.
I agree, at the half-Friday places I know, people rarely get to leave after 4 hours as planned.
I've never worked anywhere that has an official 'summer hours' policy. But I've also never worked anywhere that I've been unable to front-load my hours in order to leave at noon when I need/want to.
Sticking to the half-day Friday is actually high encouraged at my office. Very few stay past noon.
I have been running an office for 25 years and we have done a 4 day ( 10 hr days ) work week for 20 years. We work on residential / commercial and industrial projects and have no problem managing the projects. It's more about managing the clients that is the issue, once they are aware they have no issue generally going along with the flow of who is in the office and who is not in. Of course I am in everyday but hopefully look to check out a bit more often as I edge closer to retirement.
I'd like to move more towards a week of four 10's (or - imagine - four 9's!) over the next few years. I find at least a half day of my five day week is wasted by either exhaustion or errands. I'd love a mid-week day to get some things accomplished outside of the office so I could enjoy more of my actual weekend.
We've had a few employees over the years who would frequently leave work during the week for haircuts, car repairs, shopping, etc, so that they "don't have to do that stuff on the weekend".
I end up running a lot of lunch-hour errands but then I have to eat lunch at my desk.
most of the work we do is bullshit. why not make it 3 days?
Agree. The world will not end if the GC does not get the revision to the building department and the change order approved by Friday. The B101 tells me, "response to such requests shall be made in writing within any time limits agreed upon or otherwise with reasonable promptness."
I will get back to you on Monday.
There was a time in the great Gilded Age when the common man worked seven days a week. I think we can survive with a four or three day week.
We must all prepare to share the work opportunity in the future. 4 days now, then 3, then 2....
Man ain't meant to work. C'mon build a machine!
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