The 4-day week as a working time model is already being tested in several countries. The UK, for example, is planning to switch to the 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 of the job market. Where people used to be out to make 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 working. 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 of the future.
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 the total working hours in 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 fewer total working hours. If the weekly working time is reduced to 32 hours, nothing stands in the way of the 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 overall. It makes it easier to balance work and family life. More free time and better opportunities to organize your own time are additional positive aspects of the 4-day week.
The 4-day week also has advantages for employers. Employee satisfaction increases 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. In particular, the initial euphoria can quickly turn into frustration if things don’t go as planned straight away.
It is also important for employers to ensure that the change in time expenditure does not affect production. Precise planning is important so that employees can continue to complete their tasks without being under time pressure.
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 circumstances at hand. 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. Employees will have 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 sectors 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.
