For Big Beard Web Solutions the shift from a 4 Day Week to a 3 Day Week was not that traumatic. At least no one died. However, it was significant enough for Founder and Managing Director, Nathan L Simons to set some ground rules after. It must also be stated that this was at a time when all divisions were firing on all cylinders, we’re talking website design, development, support and copywriting!
While the company decided not to continue this extreme version of work time reduction (still a necessity, mind you), there was a unique reason for it. April in South Africa is known for its many public holidays. All of them during the workweek. A dream for employees and a nightmare for most employers. We may as well say that in April at least, employers are forced to adopt a four-day workweek.
This presents a unique scenario for 4 Day Week SA pioneer pilot participants. While programme best practice states that we treat the public holiday as our day off, I am of the opposing view. Planned correctly, April’s three-day workweek could very well add significant benefits to the company brave enough to take the plunge.
Let’s look at the data to support my argument. For the UK 4 Day Week pilot, revenue rose by approximately 35% and absenteeism by 65%. Take it from someone who has spent years working in the fast-paced call centre environment, these numbers are a big deal! If these stats, in these two areas, could be achieved in four days, imagine what three could do.
Some of you may be rolling your eyes right now thinking; “This guy is lazy (or crazy), aims to reduce his working hours to zero and still expects to draw a full-time salary.” Some of you may be correct. Still, consider the following, as a consequence of adopting a 3 Day Week in April: As an employer, to increase your revenue by more than 35% or as an employee, to not have the thought of going into work be so terrifying that you decide to pay a doctor’s steep consultation fee, to obtain a sick note. Both stimulating choices, I’m sure.
4 Day Week SA, INFJ, dear INFJ, 4 Day Workweek, 4 Day Week, Future Of Work, Entrepreneurship, Lead With Empathy, South Africa’s Digital Revolution, Work Time Reduction, Reduced Workweek Revolution, Wellbeing In The Workplace, Proudly South African
David-John Wayne Bailey is an INFJ from Cape Town, a proud pioneer pilot participant of 4 Day Week SA and an advocate of a four-day week for everyone working in South Africa.
