The five-day work week is an artificial and outmoded idea. A shorter working week can boost efficiency and an employees happinessUsually,I’m sceptical whenever some ultra-successful Silicon Valley firm gets held up as an example of how well all be working in future. Sure, it’s possible that Google’s success is down to free yoga classes, and napping pods and unlimited gourmet food consumed in “conversation areas designed to look like vintage subway cars”. But it’s surely equally likely that these are indulgences a wealthy company can afford,whether or not they support the bottom line – and they won’t be coming to call centres or council offices any time soon.
The latest trend might acquire more going for it, though: more tech businesses are experimenting with four-day weeks. As Ryan Carson, and co-founder of the education startup Treehouse,put it: “You find all day Friday off, instead of pretending like you’re working when you’re not.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com