3-day weekends could make people happier and more productive

[JANASENA]

A four-day workweek could make people happier. Dean Drobot / Shutterstock

• Scientific studies have found a link between happiness and productivity. 
• People tend to be happier when they have more time to do the things they enjoy. 
• This bolsters an argument for a four-day workweek and three-day weekend, as it could give people more free time to do just that. 
• But as with anything, there would be people who take advantage and those who'd have to pick up the slack. 

 

On Mondays, the week ahead can look incredibly long, but the idea of heading to work five days a week could eventually be left in the past — at least, that's what unions in the UK have been calling for recently. 

According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, an associate professor of economics and strategy at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, a good work-life balance, with time for people to do the things they enjoy, is a top priority for satisfaction — and one way to achieve this could be a three-day weekend. 

"I would argue the four-day working week is spot on in terms of finding or striking that right balance between improving the work-life balance and unlocking the happiness potential from that in terms of productivity gains," De Neve told BBC World News on Friday. "This outweighs the net reduction in productivity from working a day less." 

An eight-week trial conducted in New Zealand earlier this year found that overall a four-day week increased teamwork and work engagement while decreasing workers' stress. But there were some problems with the study in that some participants had to break out of it to keep up with a busy schedule, suggesting that an extra day off could lead some employees to have to pick up the slack. 

The study didn't find any real improvement in work quality, but participants reported enjoying having a three-day weekend. 

"When you are more positive about your job and your life while on the job, it relates to being able to be more productive," De Neve said. 

A 2015 study from Warwick Universityseems to bolster the idea of a four-day workweek and three-day weekend. It found that participants were 8-12% more productive when they were given chocolate or listened to a comedy clip before a task, as opposed to thinking and writing about a family loss; in other words, manipulating workers' happiness seemed to affect how efficiently they did a job. 

There might not be an immediate change in productivity with the introduction of a four-day workweek, but with less time to kill at work, employees may procrastinate less (though there would always be those who try to take advantage). 

More evidence is likely needed before we could see a major adjustment to the way we work. But it wasn't until the 20th century that businesses decided a five-day week was optimal and started giving workers Saturday off, so there's no reason to believe it couldn't happen again

[gilly]

talk to thatha bro plssss 

[De_ra_ve_pu]

@De_ra_ve_pu

[JANASENA]

1 hour ago, gilly said:

talk to thatha bro plssss 

What Countries Have the World’s Shortest Work Weeks?

Netherlands
Not only is the Netherlands a beautiful place to live, but its four-day workweek is definitely a plus as well. The workforce averages around 29 hours a week with average annual wages at $47,000.

A Dutch law was passed in 2000 which stated a worker can lower their hours to part-time, while keeping their job and continuing to receive hourly pay and health care benefits.

Denmark
Denmark averages 33 hours per week with estimated annual wages of $46,000.Their unemployment benefits go up to two years, and the Danish have flexible schedules that lure people in.

Norway
Norwegians work about 33 hours a week with average annual wages of $44,000. In fact, Norway’s labor laws are the most lenient since they provide workers a minimum of 21 paid vacation days.

Ireland
Of course we know Ireland for its famous breweries and landscape, but that’s not all they are known for. The Irish work about 34 hours per week with average annual wages of $51,000. This drastically changed from the 44 hours they worked previously in 1983.

Germany 
Germany works about 35 hours a week with average annual wages of $40,000. They actually encourage some employers to lower their hours in order to prevent layoffs. The plan seems to be working well, with the country’s current unemployment rate at five percent

[MRI]

New Zealand kooda implement chesindi ani recent ga colleagues chepparu..

[MRI]

avunu bro.. every weekend.. cleaning, laundry, ironing, and packing for the week key saripotundi bro.. adedo wednesday or thursday holiday istey week ki perfect split ayyi.. ilanti panulanni ah roju chesukovachu.. weekend haayiga gadapochu..

[AlaElaAlaEla]

15 hours ago, MRI said:

avunu bro.. every weekend.. cleaning, laundry, ironing, and packing for the week key saripotundi bro.. adedo wednesday or thursday holiday istey week ki perfect split ayyi.. ilanti panulanni ah roju chesukovachu.. weekend haayiga gadapochu..

 Nice idea bro 

amaravathi IT companies already started ani @WarldPamosCheBeeYan Tweeted 

[hyperbole]

eeppudu startups kotha offer - 4 workdays x10 hours and 3 days off

[mettastar]

33 hr work week petti pay kuda oka 20% cut chestham antaru .. vaalaki poindi emi ledu  and fulltime lo 40hrs per week aina 60hrs cheyinchukuntaru , so nothing's gonna change 

[WarldPamosCheBeeYan]

5 hours ago, AlaElaAlaEla said:

 Nice idea bro 

amaravathi IT companies already started ani @WarldPamosCheBeeYan Tweeted 

Lol

[AlaElaAlaEla]

7 hours ago, WarldPamosCheBeeYan said:

Lol

start one IT company no, give 4 days weekends no???