The 4-day week as a working time model is already being tested in several countries. Among other things, the UK is planning to switch to a 4-day week in the long term. In Belgium, it is to be regulated by law. And the first companies in Germany are also trying out the 4-day model. However, it will probably be some time before the working time model becomes established in Germany.
The 4-day week as a forward-looking working time model
Times change and people change with them. There are new demands and priorities are shifting. This is particularly true for the labor market. Where people used to focus on making a career by working as much as possible, today the focus is on private life and family.
This means that leisure time is more important to people than ever before. This goes hand in hand with shorter working hours and self-determined work. According to a survey conducted by RTL and ntv at the beginning of 2022, around 71% of Germans are in favor of introducing a 4-day week.
There are already companies in Germany that are testing the 4-day working week model. For most of them, the initial skepticism quickly gave way to the conviction that this model is the way forward.
However, there are still certain hurdles that arise in Germany from the Working Hours Act (ArbZG). This is because a 4-day week does not automatically mean a reduction in total working hours during the week. Instead of 5 days, the 40 hours are only worked on 4 days.
However, the ArbZG stipulates that a working day shift may not last longer than 8 hours. With overtime, the limit is a maximum of 10 hours at a time. The 4-day week in conjunction with a 40-hour model is therefore right at the limit of what is permitted by law.
Implementation is therefore easier with less total working time. If the weekly working time is reduced to 32 hours, nothing stands in the way of a 4-day week. However, this has disadvantages for employers.
The advantages and disadvantages of the 4-day week
For employees, the 4-day week probably sounds exclusively positive. This makes it easier to combine family and career. More free time and better opportunities to organize your own time are additional positive aspects of the 4-day week.
And the 4-day week also has advantages for employers. An increase in employee satisfaction occurs almost automatically. This is accompanied by higher productivity and more creativity, for example when solving problems.
As a company with a 4-day week, we are also more attractive to new applicants. This is an advantage that should not be underestimated, especially in times when there is a shortage of skilled workers in the economy.
However, a changeover is always a risk with certain hurdles. Above all, the initial euphoria can quickly turn into frustration if things don’t go exactly as you imagined.
It is also important for employers to keep in mind that the change in time expenditure is not reflected in production. Precise planning is important so that employees can continue to complete their tasks without being pressed for time.
The aim of the 4-day week is to switch from a time-based mindset to a performance-based one. This gives both employees and employers more opportunities to adapt their work to the current circumstances. More freedom results in higher productivity.
However, such a changeover does not happen overnight and must be accompanied by long-term planning. Both employers and employees are involved in this planning, because in the end it has to work for everyone.
Conclusion
The 4-day week is a working time model that can lead modern companies into the future. For employees, there are more opportunities to organize their free time and also their work schedule. However, the changeover is accompanied by long-term planning that focuses on personnel and possibly also new shift models. However, an established 4-day week offers many advantages in all sectors and all jobs. However, it is probably easier to implement in some industries or jobs than in others.
For the timecard it is not important whether your company works 4 or 5 days. The timeCard has the right working time recording system for every day of the week.
