Could the weekend be longer?

Ever since the 1960s, there has been talk of the weekend being extended to make it almost as long as the working week. Three or four day weeks have been a dream for many who believe advances in technology make it possible for people to complete their required work in a shorter time.

A firm in New Zealand tested the theory by reducing the working week to four days but still paying staff the wages for five. Twenty-four percent of staff later reported an improvement in their work-life balance. Seven per cent said stress levels dropped and there was no negative effect on productivity. However, one US company switched back to a 40-hour week after a similar trial.

When faced with cutting back staff, it was thought inappropriate to have some working on a cushier four-day contract while their colleagues were being made redundant. The idea was also abandoned by a firm in Sweden when extra staff had to be taken on to account for the fewer hours the existing employees were working.

It sounds as though that Friday feeling isn’t going to become the Thursday thrill for a long time yet, and we’re certainly stuck with the Monday blues.