By Sarah Ferraina
In the ever-evolving landscape of work we were one of the first to pioneer the adoption of the four-day work week concept in the Recruitment and Staffing industry, in 2020.
This visionary approach, that dates as far back as the 1970s, has gained significant momentum of late amongst Australian workplaces, which is no surprise given the proven benefits for employees and tangible advantages for employers, including increased retention rates and enhanced talent attraction.
The core principle behind the four-day work week is simple yet transformative – measure output instead of hours. In return, employees can gain valuable time for personal activities and relaxation whilst still meeting the needs of the organisation and sacrificing their work-life balance.
This approach nurtures a healthier mindset, enabling individuals to focus more intensely on their tasks, time management skills, and efficient work strategies, resulting in heightened productivity and job satisfaction.
From an employee perspective, the benefits extend far beyond work-life balance. The four-day work week offers a myriad of career growth opportunities and enhanced job satisfaction, leading to increased retention rates. When individuals feel content and fulfilled in their roles, they are more likely to stay with the organisation for extended periods, fuelling long-term success.
Furthermore, our studies into Meaningful Work show that “employees who perceive their work as meaningful are also found to be less stressed and have better health and wellbeing than those that do not consider their work to be meaningful.”
Beaumont People took part in a recent study by Swinburne University of Technology on the emerging four-day work week trends in Australia.
The study showed that 71% of employees reported lower levels of burnout and 39% saying they were less stressed.
It is not only the employees who reap the rewards of this model. Employers also stand to gain numerous advantages from embracing the four-day work week. Motivated and engaged staff become the driving force behind the company’s goals and objectives, fostering a positive organisational culture. This, in turn, contributes to streamlined operations, reduced costs, and improved overall efficiency.
The Swinburne University study also showed that organisations participating in the four-day work week initiative reported a 65% reduction in sick days and a 57% reduction in staff turnover.
Additionally, the four-day work week acts as a powerful tool for bolstering an employer’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP). By offering this sought-after benefit, organisations differentiate themselves in a competitive talent market. Providing a flexible working environment that empowers employees to manage their own schedules creates an appealing workplace culture, making potential candidates more inclined to apply for positions within the organisation.
The benefit of the four-day work week have reverberated throughout Beaumont People, with improvement in overall efficiency, job and client satisfaction, and employee retention, all thanks to this forward-thinking policy.
Moreover, this new paradigm has enabled us to attract a higher caliber of talent—individuals who value flexible working arrangements and a harmonious work-life integration.
“When we first started sharing on social media, that we’d launched the four-say work week, we were inundated with applications.” says Nikki Beaumont, Founder and CEO of Beaumont People.
As the future of work unfolds, the transformative power of the four-day work week stands as a beacon of progress, driving us toward a more harmonious and prosperous world of work.
*Sarah Ferraina is a member of the Corporate team,and manages anything and everything that relates to the Beaumont People brand
*This article first appeared on beaumontpeople.com.au website