Submit a question for the "Office Hours: ‘4-day workweek’ edition" event

[#1]

The team of writers, editors, and strategists that brings you Work Life experimented with a four-day workweek recently. 

Geographic dates/times below:

• October 14 from 2 pm to 3 pm PT
• October 14 from 5 pm to 6 pm ET
• October 14 from 8 am to 9am AEST
• All other time zones may be at night, so we will provide a video recording after the event.

Join us for Office Hours, where they'll answer your questions. Questions like…

• Can teams really maintain performance while working fewer hours?
• Does a four-day workweek live up to the hype?
• What are some of the trade-offs involved?

If you can't make it or simply want to get your questions in early, please add your question as a comment on this page. Submit as many as you'd like. We'll do our best to get as many of your questions out there as possible.

So, please comment below!  

...and RSVP here.

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Christine P. Dela Rosa 

Thanks for the information!  My question is:

For companies with salary and hourly employees, and which want to experiment with a four-day work week, what have you tried to make the transition...without resorting to 4x10 schedules across the board?

Kind regards,
Bill

[Carolyn Carney]

Hi @Christine P. Dela RosaWas the team all in the same timezone/region? If not, how did this work? How might it work with international teams?

[Colum McAndrew]

@Christine P. Dela Rosa I'd be interested in how the team collaborated both internally and externally. This trial seems like not the whole company participated. If true, how did the team change their processes and communication methods to ensure no drop in productivity? Did it result in longer hours in the four days? If so, what changes were made to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work/life balance?

[Sarah.Eaton]

• What was the most unexpected benefit of the 4 day week?
• How is your productivity measured regardless of length of working week?
• Was productivity therefore better, worse or the same?
• In an organisation where not everyone does a 4 day week how would this be justified to the '5 dayers' who will naturally perceive themselves to be working 'harder'?

[Anita Kalmane]

Not a content question, but is there a plan to have these sessions available also in CET timezone? 11pm isn't really feasible, yet I'd love to listen some of the future ones live. Much appreciated!

[Patrícia Fortunato Montenegro]

Thank you, @Christine P. Dela Rosa,

Nice to know, and thanks for sharing; I'll be there. 

I would like to know about the perception of personal feelings connected to work, how do they felt, there was any self-judgement behavior? Subjects regarding this point will be good to know as well.

Cheers, 😃

[Christine P. Dela Rosa]

@Anita Kalmane for sure. Likely going to happen for the next live event after this one! Spoiler alert: it's gonna be about team health and new research on it.

[Ajay _view26_]

• Is there research to support 4 day work-week improve producivity across different geographies taking into account the cultural aspects ?
• Does 4 day work-week affect annual holidays, given the more number of weekly offs?

Cheers

[Margareta Buruian]

Hi @Christine P. Dela Rosa 

My question is how does shifting to a 4 day week affect external stakeholders such as clients who may be working a 5 day week? 

[Sarah.Eaton]

Really good question @Margareta Buruian - I think that maybe the model would be to stagger everyone's 4 days so they are not off on the same day. This in turn would need to be mindful of team meetings, sprint planning etc.

[Sedera Randria]

All participants worked the 4 same days (Monday-Thursday). Why not letting people choose their own day off to better fit their personal context?

And if so...  what if someone comes up with a team-building activity (BBQ, marshmallow challenge, Serious Play, etc.) and calendars are no longer compatible? Do you plan to discuss the 4 days as a team or is should be an individual decision?

[Suvradip Paul]

@Christine P. Dela Rosa - Another topic of my interest.

There are a few questions from my end.

1. What would be the initial blocks that any organisation should consider before introducing this change?
2. Could you please share any guidelines to counter internal and as well as external resistance to adapt this change? 
3. Could you make this extra one day off as per preferred choice or is it going to be on best endeavours an can get skipped due to some deadlines?

[Fabian Lim]

• Are there any specific industries or organizations structures more suited for a 4-day work week?
• Are all team members working the same days or some are staggered so that someone is in the office is always able to help clients?

[Laura Holton _ACE Rotterdam_]

Thanks @Christine P. Dela Rosa, consider me signed up!

A couple of questions come to mind:

• How would a 4 day week affect different teams such as marketing, development and sales?
• What would be the initial challenges to overcome as an individual and also as a team?

[Brittany Joiner]

Is there any data that says we actually are more productive with a 5 day week vs a 4 day week? If not, then why are companies so hesitant to do it? 

Also ++ to these questions about logistics and how to make it work (like should everyone work the same 4 days or can there be flexibility in which days you work.)

[Jenn Velázquez_Appfire_]

Hello! My question would be, is there an ideal moment to transition or try the 4-day week? 

Would you consider there are moments where it could be more beneficial or harmful?

Do you consider it something teams should slowly plan and transition to, like "prepare for it" or just implement it and see where that goes? 

Thanks! 

[Sedera Randria]

Question: if all the team of some people should attend a 3 days training, what happens with the  4-day workweek? 

[Medhat Ahmed]

Nice to know that. Thanks for sharing! 😃