The ‘work from home’ era took roots globally during the pandemic and is now here to stay. Companies have seen an increase in talent, productivity, employee retention and general health because of it. Now, we’re ushering in a new era of the four-day work week. The initiative, headed by Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart, aims to support the model of a 4 day work week internationally, launching with a campaign petition and pilot program for companies to join and participate in globally, with SA having just tapped in:
We are ready to launch a 4 Day Week Pilot in South Africa!
We’re hosting a webinar on 21 Sept 2022 where you can find out more about what this means and how it will work. Registrations are open: https://t.co/lA2XvSBgSw
Don’t miss out!!#4DayWeekSA #4DayWeekSouthAfrica #4DayWeek pic.twitter.com/MO37GIxwja— 4dayweeksa (@4dayweeksa) September 12, 2022
The WFH era prompted a revolution
As Covid took to our shores in 2020, the world saw a sudden and drastic shift in working models. Sadly, many employees lost their jobs and thousands of companies shut down. The surviving forces were faced with the same fate, unless a new strategy could be adapted. That’s when the ‘work from home’ era mushroomed into everyone’s (except for frontline/essential workers) new ‘normal.’
Reigning forces behind large corporations have since realised something most digital-driven industry employees have known for ages: if the work’s done and the deadlines are met, it doesn’t really matter where you’re working from. At present, hundreds of local companies (and thousands internationally) have adopted the WFH movement, with remarkable positive results.
Other countries test the model with positive results
In the four-day week model, employees work one day (20%) less than the usual Monday to Friday. Employees won’t be expected to work extra hours during the 4-day week (unlike the compressed work week model) and will still receive a full salary package. Trials for the 4-day work week have already begun across the globe, with countries like Spain, New Zealand and Iceland all boasting success.
The trial for a four-day work week begins in SA
With 4-Day Week webinar launching on the 21st of September locally, registrations for companies to sign up and participate are now open. With the feat of positive results from other piloting countries, we’re optimistic about how the model will perform locally.
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Feature Image: Unsplash
