Customer Service on a Four-Day Week
At the current rate, customer service in South Africa may soon have to be termed customer disservice. As an INFJ who is always keenly aware of the feelings of others, I think our front office staff deserve some time off. What else could explain the dismal service I have received this past quarter. In four […]
Work Time Reduction Benefits
Work time reduction benefits employees and employers. Though there are pros and cons to consider, a shorter workweek has merit. Most employees would love to work less and earn more. There are also bosses who would save on company expenses if the workplace was intentionally shut down for a day. Let’s look at some of […]
An Ode to TBL
I came across TBL or the triple bottom line principle a few years ago. TBL is an accounting framework that addresses three pillars to measure performance: social, environmental and financial. Fresh into my entrepreneurial journey I encountered a seasoned investor that sought to bring many entrepreneurs together under one umbrella. The investor’s vision of a […]
My Sister on a Four-Day Week
My eldest sister worked a government job for about 10 years and would certainly have benefitted from a four-day workweek. Many would describe local government departments as hopelessly inept, but sometimes fail to take into account how overworked these employees are. My sister worked hard enough to be promoted several times in rapid succession only […]
My Mother on a Four-Day Week
As involved as I am with advocating the future of work, I have to wonder what a four-day workweek would have meant for my mother. A woman who recently turned 60, birthed four kids and is still working. Traditionally, women have been designated as the nurturers by default. This may be true, but it also […]
Getting South Africans to Work
Getting South Africans to work presents its own unique set of challenges. Gladiators from back in the day, is pretty much an accurate summary of the daily commute. While you may not have to run the gauntlet with Granite or Fire blocking your way, it can be even more intimidating. It’s 2023 and not much […]
Enjoyed the Days Off South Africa?
Your company may not have signed up for the 4 Day Week SA pilot, but you’ve already had two weeks with a day off. Be honest, how did it make you feel? Also, do you have any hot cross buns, pickled fish and Easter eggs left over? Whether you embraced a local tradition or spent […]
Transitioning From a 4 Day Week to a 3 Day Week
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 […]
Load Shifting During the 4 Day Week SA
South Africans are dealing with load shedding. Yet another challenge for pilot participants, which I have opted to call “load shifting” instead. At the start of March 2023, pioneering companies piloting the four-day workweek were tasked with reducing the workday by eight hours, this during periods of intermittent energy supply. Load shedding is described as […]
The Secret World of Arrietty and the 4 Day Week SA
Again, I am able to draw some startling similarities between a Studio Ghibli classic and the 4 Day Week SA. The Secret World of Arrietty tells the tale of “The Borrowers”, 10cm-tall people who take only the things that humans won’t miss, in order to survive. For the purposes of this post, I will only […]