Can Shorter Days Improve Productivity?
There is no denying that overworking employees can have a serious impact, with many people going as far as to argue that it’s downright dangerous and should be avoided. This is why many companies are now focusing on creating a healthier work/life balance for their workers. Rather than insisting that employees arrive early and stay late wherever possible in order to impress, a lot of companies are now encouraging them to switch off and unplug as soon as they leave the office.
However, some employers have gone one step further by implementing shorter working days. Not only could doing so help employees to achieve a healthy work/life balance, but it could also improve productivity in the workplace.
How Could Shorter Working Days Improve Employee Productivity?
When you think about a full eight-hour workday, it’s unlikely that you actually spend all eight of those hours working. In fact, most people only spend half of that time doing something that is considered to be productive. The rest of the time is usually spent browsing the web, talking to coworkers, messaging friends, playing games or staring off into space. Simply, long working days aren’t necessarily all that more productive. It’s highly unlikely that those eight hours are actually spent working, with a great deal of time being wasted every day.
When someone works for fewer hours, they are much more likely to work hard during the time that they are at work. This is why many employers are now considering shorter working days as a way to improve productivity. Rather than becoming distracted after being sat at a desk for hours on end, employees can better utilise their shorter working days.
As well as being more productive, shorter working days could also help employees to unwind and relax. By spending less time at work and having more of a chance to enjoy their free time with loved ones, there’s sure to be a decrease in stress levels. This can boost employee morale and improve happiness in the workplace, both of which have been shown to increase efficiency.
If having a shorter working day isn’t on the table for companies, then the choice to have ‘Flexi-Work’ must be the favourable route going forward. Flexi-Work allows employees to fit their working hours around their individual needs, and it accommodates for their other commitments outside of work. This allows people to start or finish earlier / later, as well as having the option to work from home as well – perfect for working parents. This is what we’ve implemented into our core at Rainbow. We have multiple working parents and we understand that they need to be flexible with their work schedule. Instead of them doing the traditional 9-5, we allow them to work hours that are right for them, without facing any consequences.
Regardless of the route employers choose to take in the future, accommodating for their employees to have a healthier work-life balance is a must. Traditional working hours will eventually be a thing of the past, which will no doubt be welcomed with open arms.
