There is a very old clichéd saying, usually pointed out to stressed out executives in the throws of workaholicism – ‘Nobody ever died wishing they had spent more time at the office’

Old, but true, and I think it would be safe to say there are very few people who didn’t wish they could spend less time working.

So, the idea of a shorter working week would be a good one, yes? Obvious statement, but the very idea usually comes armed with some negative baggage.

If a company has to resort to shorter working hours, it’s usually because there is not enough work. This usually relates to manufacturing – for example, might Toyota be bringing us the four-day week?

There is another side to a shorter working week also, good on the surface, If you are lucky enough to have an employer sensitive to flexible working hours. My very first boss returned to work after the birth of her first child to a four day working week. It didn’t shorten her workload though; she just did five days work in less time!

So – forgetting the fact that economics could have a large part to play in shorter working weeks – let’s take the flexible working angle, and my ex boss as an example – could companies benefit fro shorter working weeks?

Using Japan as an example, - the Japanese have coped with years of downturn and deflation. However, unemployment has stayed far below western levels.

You see, making workers redundant seems like the obvious choice when the chips are down, but it could also be very reactive. Mass redundancies affect the pockets of not only individuals, but the cohesion of communities and the social ramifications can be massive. Surely easier to ‘share it out’ – reduce everyone’s hours, and pay slightly, yet at least retain employment.

Studies show that a four day week promotes higher productivity. Absenteeism would drop as employees make appointments for doctors and dentists on their extra day off. There are environmental benefits also, as the public and private transport system would be eased on the extra day off.

So – could such a programme be good for the workplace? Let’s weigh it up.

The Environment.

Reduced fuel consumption/carbon footprint on the commute for employees, and fuel/energy saving for the actual workplace.

No more sickies.

A third day off helps employees get all those ghastly errands and appointments over with before the weekend. This stops them calling in sick when they have post office or bank visit or routine doctors’ appointment to make.

Harder work!.

It’s a fact that without deadlines – workers loll. If you have a certain amount of work to do and a certain amount of time to do it in – you work to that deadline. The work stays the same, but there is less time to do it in. They won’t mind working harder for that extra day off!

They will like you more.