SELFHOOD on: The 4-day work week

by Kyra Clement

Photo by Tony Schnagl

Moving away from a century-old labour practice will require an unprecedented shake-up - but as a global pandemic becomes endemic and Gen Z’s representation in the workforce grows, it seems a perfect storm is brewing.  

The 5-day work week makes little sense to a generation that value fluidity and flexibility. As SELFHOOD collective member and entrepreneur Xander, 25, told us “truth is, hustle culture has become embedded into our generation. We’re constantly encouraged to think more, be more and do more.”

The need to ‘be more and do more’ is just one reason why side-hustles have thrived in recent years. For many young people, it was born out of pure necessity - a means to a more financially comfortable end during times of furlough and redundancy. For others, it was an opportunity to explore creative passions outside of the 9-5. Either way, Gen Z have become the driving force behind side-hustle culture, with many continuing their ventures despite returning to the office, shunning the notion that you can only be one thing.  

However, trying to do this within the parameters of a 40-hour work week can be wearing, leaving many young go-getters overworked, burnt out and tired. While side-hustles are increasingly being encouraged by more progressive employers – seen as a demonstration of the innovation and proactiveness that help businesses thrive - many companies are just not set up to champion this, with restrictive rules and regulations still in place.

Xander told us: “A 4-day working week would solve some of the issues entrepreneurs like me have; balancing the demands of full-time employment, whilst also being stretched to dedicate the time and energy needed to grow a business and community.”

Just making time for yourself outside of work can feel like a task. SELFHOOD collective member Georgia, 24, explained “You can see the strain work can place on people’s well-being, especially since for most a work life balance is non-existent. Having a 4-day week would give you permission to have an extra day to yourself, whether it’s to do life admin, see friends, build up your own thing or just sleep.”

It’s a school of thought that seems to be gathering momentum. In the UK, the official 4-day week campaign group now lists 37 accredited 4-day week employers on its website from a variety of industries and regions.

Experiments have taken place across the globe, with largescale trials in Iceland hailed as an “overwhelming success” and a firm in New Zealand firm finding that staff were happier, less stressed, more engaged and 20% more productive. The benefit to employee morale and mental health is obvious, but the boosts to company productivity and profit, like those evidenced in these trials, will be the most eye-catching findings of such trials for many business leaders.

Everyone strives for work-life balance, but a generation who had the beginnings of their adult lives stolen from them are feeling it even more; free time, human connection and purpose are taking priority now more than ever.

The pandemic has not only highlighted this but has also shown us that things previously deemed impossible, are very much possible. After all, three years ago the concept of working from home for the majority of the week would have been borderline outrageous to most companies.

At this point, flexible hours, remote working and hybrid offices are a given. For companies looking to go the extra mile to attract young talent, the ability to offer a 4-day work week might prove a hugely valuable differentiator.