What is a shorter workweek?

A shorter workweek typically refers to compressing the standard 40-hour week into four longer workdays, often consisting of ten hours each, rather than five eight-hour days. While there is no formal legal definition of full-time employment in Canada, a 40-hour workweek is the general standard in most industries. Companies adopting a shorter workweek still maintain the same number of working hours but condense them into fewer days, often adhering to the traditional Monday-to-Friday framework, albeit in a more concentrated schedule.

What are the benefits of a shorter workweek?

For many companies, the benefits of a shorter workweek usually outweigh the potential drawbacks. Key advantages include:

• Employee wellbeing: A three-day weekend offers employees more time to rest, recharge, and focus on personal pursuits, reducing the likelihood of burnout. This enhanced work-life balance (e.g. having the time for personal pursuits) can lead to higher overall job satisfaction and productivity.
• Improved recruitment and retention: As shorter workweeks remain uncommon in Canada, companies that adopt this model are highly attractive to job seekers. Employees are less likely to leave, knowing that similar work-life flexibility is difficult to find elsewhere, significantly reducing turnover. In a competitive job market, offering shorter workweeks can help make your organization stand out, appealing to top talent who prioritize flexibility, balance, and other benefits.
• Operational advantages: By extending business hours during the four days of operation (e.g., opening earlier or closing later), companies can offer greater convenience to clients. This increased accessibility could lead to a competitive edge and potentially higher customer satisfaction and business growth.

What are the risks of a shorter workweek?

While the benefits of a shorter workweek may outweigh the drawbacks, it is important to carefully assess potential challenges before implementing such a significant operational change. Whether a shorter workweek is viable depends heavily on your industry and the nature of your work:

• Industry considerations:
  • Shorter workweeks are more commonly found in environments where client service and project timelines can be adjusted more easily. In these settings, flexibility in scheduling allows for a seamless transition to a condensed workweek.
  • In industries such as construction, where project timelines and interdependent tasks are important, reducing workdays could pose challenges. For instance, if a plumbing company is unavailable on Fridays, they may miss service requests or lose out on larger contracts. Additionally, delays in their tasks may cause a ripple effect across a multi-phase project, potentially impacting the overall timeline.
• Client expectations and availability:
  • Certain industries, especially those providing essential services like plumbing, may face issues with customer expectations of around-the-clock availability. Emergencies can occur at any time, and clients may seek alternatives if a business is unavailable due to a shorter workweek. Over time, this could result in lost revenue and missed business opportunities, particularly if clients opt for companies that maintain a traditional five-day work schedule.

How to implement a shorter workweek at your company

You may follow these brief steps to learn how to implement a shorter workweek at your organization:

1. Consult with employees and stakeholders

Begin by engaging in discussions with your employees to assess their feedback on the proposed change. Although employees will likely be in favour of a shorter workweek, it is important to gather their input to address any concerns or logistical challenges they might foresee. Their perspective is invaluable in ensuring a smooth transition.

Additionally, involve stakeholders in these discussions. Clients, customers, and business partners may have varying opinions, but many could be open to a trade-off of one fewer operating day in exchange for extended hours on the remaining days. Make sure to explain how the new schedule will continue to meet their needs while maintaining productivity levels.

2. Communicate with business partners

Once the decision is made, it’s important to communicate the change to your external partners and clients well in advance. Providing ample notice allows them to make any necessary adjustments to accommodate your new schedule. This proactive communication helps prevent any disruptions to ongoing projects or service agreements.

You may also want to include an educational piece in your messaging that outlines the reasons behind the shift. Explain the anticipated benefits, such as improved employee well-being and productivity, and emphasize that the goal is to enhance overall efficiency. This can also serve as an opportunity to encourage others to consider similar changes, fostering a broader conversation about work-life balance and productivity.

3. Monitor and assess impact

Implement the shorter workweek as a pilot project to gather real-world data on its effects on your business. Track key metrics such as productivity, customer satisfaction, and overall business performance during the trial period.

Throughout the pilot, continuously assess the results. If you notice significant declines in productivity, new business, or customer satisfaction, you may need to revisit the decision and explore other solutions to improve work-life balance without compromising operational success. If, on the other hand, the pilot leads to maintained or increased productivity and revenue (as some companies have reported after making the change), it provides compelling evidence that the shorter workweek could be a sustainable and beneficial long-term solution for your business. Regular monitoring is key to making informed, data-driven decisions that support both employee well-being and business success.

Implementing a shorter workweek can offer numerous benefits, including improved employee wellbeing, enhanced recruitment and retention, and operational advantages. It’s important to assess industry-specific challenges, communicate clearly with stakeholders, and continuously monitor the impact. By piloting the change and gathering data, your business can make an informed decision on whether this model is a sustainable solution that aligns with long-term goals.