Research into human productivity has led many small companies to adopt revolutionary 4 day work weeks. Lately, Microsoft has been testing out the theory on a massive corporate scale. In an initiative called, “Work Life Choice Challenge”, Microsoft employees in Japan were given Fridays off for the month of August to test its effect on productivity. While actual time in the office decreased, productivity increased a shocking 40 percent.
2,280 Japanese Microsoft employees partook in the adjusted schedule. In addition to an extra day off, employees were encouraged to spend less time answering emails and keep meetings to 30 minutes. Japan was a logical site for the experiment, as the country has struggled infamously with the intense work culture. High depression and suicide rates among professionals have called attention to the country’s culture of overwork.
The dynamics of the modern workplace are quickly changing. Initiatives focused on quality, rather than quantity, of work are encouraging employees to become more versatile in their workspaces. How does the 40-hour work week affect your productivity? Now that Microsoft has proved the efficacy of a shorter work week, your office may be the next to cut Fridays from the weekly agenda.
