The traditional five-day work week has long been the standard in many industries. However, recent research and trials suggest that a four-day work week can offer significant benefits for both employees and employers.

At Huddle Up, we are all about working effectively and efficiently, so we jumped on board the 4-Day workweek bandwagon as a 3-month trial starting July 2024.

This wasn’t a blind decision.

Like everything we do, it has strategic intent and research behind it and the move was carefully considered. Below are five advantages of a condensed work schedule that impacted our decision, supported by empirical evidence published from a study by the University of Cambridge in 2023.

Improved Employee Well-being

The comprehensive study conducted by the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with Boston College and the think tank Autonomy, examined the effects of a four-day work week on employee health. The findings revealed a 39% reduction in stress levels and a 71% decrease in burnout among participants. Additionally, there was a 65% reduction in sick days and a 57% decrease in staff turnover during the trial period.

Enhanced Productivity

Contrary to concerns that reduced working hours might lead to decreased productivity, the same study by the University of Cambridge found that company revenue remained stable, with an average increase of 1.4% during the trial. This suggests that employees maintained, and in some cases improved, their productivity levels despite working fewer hours.

Better Work-Life Balance

Participants in the four-day work week trial reported significant improvements in work-life balance. Approximately 60% of employees found it easier to manage work alongside care responsibilities, and 62% reported an enhanced ability to balance work with social life.

Further Research

It isn’t just the University of Cambridge study that reported the advantages. A report by the World Economic Forum highlighted that reduced working hours can lead to higher productivity, improved employee satisfaction, and even environmental benefits due to decreased commuting.

The trend is global. As reported by News.com.au, Japan, a country known for its intense work culture, companies like Panasonic have experimented with shorter work weeks to address labour shortages and improve employee well-being. While adoption has been gradual, these initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the benefits associated with reduced working hours.

What does the 4-Day Work Week Look Like for Huddle Up Creative?

We have trialled a few different methods and have landed on a 4-Day Work Week from Monday to Thursday for the entire team each week.

Our office hours remain the same, with the team available from 9am to 2pm AWST on these days.

BUT we know that sometimes urgent things pop up, and that’s why we have on call support for our existing clients requiring urgent assistance between the hours of 8.30am to 1.30pm on Fridays.

Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Our mission at Huddle Up Creative is to help businesses grow through effective and efficient marketing. We put a lot of time and effort into continuously improving our processes, procedures, and tools to be as productive as possible. We help our clients do the same, ensuring they can achieve their goals with the least amount of hassle.

Implementing a 4-day work week is just another step in our commitment to continuous improvement. We believe that by giving our team more time to rest and recharge, we can bring even more energy and creativity to our work. This means better results for our valued clients.

Want to Know More?

If you’re curious about how we’ve implemented the 4-day work week or want to chat about how you can make similar improvements in your business, Emma is more than happy to share our experience. Feel free to book a Discovery Call to dive deeper into this exciting change.

We’re thrilled about this new chapter and can’t wait to see the positive impact it will have on our team and our work with you. Thanks for being a part of the Huddle Up family!

Let’s huddle in and level up together!