Microsoft tried a 4-day workweek in Japan. Productivity jumped 40%

[KingDanz]

Hong Kong (CNN Business)A growing number of smaller companies are adopting a four-day workweek. Now the results of a recent trial at Microsoft (MSFT) suggest it could work even for the biggest businesses.

The company introduced a program this summer in Japan called the "Work Life Choice Challenge," which shut down its offices every Friday in August and gave all employees an extra day off each week.
The results were promising: While the amount of time spent at work was cut dramatically, productivity — measured by sales per employee — went up by almost 40% compared to the same period the previous year, the company said in a statement last week.
In addition to reducing working hours, managers urged staff to cut down on the time they spent in meetings and responding to emails.
They suggested that meetings should last no longer than 30 minutes. Employees were also encouraged to cut down on meetings altogether by using an online messaging app (Microsoft's, of course).

The effects were widespread. More than 90% of Microsoft's 2,280 employees in Japan later said they were impacted by the new measures, according to the company.
By shutting down earlier each week, the company was also able to save on other resources, such as electricity.
The initiative is timely. Japan has long grappled with a grim — and in some cases, fatal — culture of overwork. The problem is so severe, the country has even coined a term for it: karoshi means death by overwork from stress-induced illnesses or severe depression.
The issue attracted international attention in 2015, when an employee at Japanese advertising giant Dentsu died by suicide on Christmas Day. Tokyo officials later said that the staffer had worked excessive amounts of overtime.
Two years later, a reporter at a Japanese broadcaster died after working punishing long hours. Her employer said she had clocked in 159 hours of overtime the month before her death.
That has led businesses to start searching for solutions. Some companies have begun offering employees more flexibility, and the government has launched a campaign called "Premium Friday," which encourages workers to leave early every last Friday of the month.
Microsoft, for its part, says it will conduct another experiment in Japan later this year. It plans to ask employees to come up with new measures to improve work-life balance and efficiency, and will also ask other companies to join the initiative.

 

[jdubnyce]

I work at a bank...they'd never do this

 

[Dr. Acula]

I would think in Japan of all places they wouldn't do this.

That salaryman life sounds awful

 

[humminbird]

This should happen for the us but i bet it happens when i'm 60 and about to get out.

 

[hayesc0]

Been doing 4 10 hour shifts for over a year and it's goat lol.

 

[DragonKnight]

Auto plants been doing this

 

[Luke Cage]

I mean it's kinda common sense, if you have the same objectives but less time to do them, you have to increase productivity by way of necessity.
Reducing the work week to 1 hour would also increase productivity, the question is whether or not it is practical in accomplishing your objectives.
I used to do cost accounting when i first graduated college, the time factor is something we study alot and the 5 day work week was usually deemed the perfect balance for most business plans. Having 3 consecutive days of lost revenue (or delayed) could potentially cost your company millions and would not be worth the added increase in productivity on the other 4 days.

 

[Sex Luthor]

The way they view working there, they probably thought they were gonna get fired or something. Wouldn't work in the US. nikkas still be trying to leave early on Thursdays or finish everything they didn't do in the beginning of the week. Plus they'd want to cut pay since you not working

 

[Orange cream shake]

I work at a bank...they'd never do this

Me too. I deal with about mil in proceeds everyday so I know it’s not happening.

 

[Ikwa]

3-4 days work week from 10 to 4

6 certs 6 figures lifestyle been good to a young breh

 

[Gold]

.

 

[StretfordRed]

Been doing 4 10 hour shifts for over a year and it's goat lol.

Depends when your days fall.

I did Sunday to Wednesday and it was perfect

Other than that I did 12hr shifts for 3 days then had 3 days off. Was harder in summer than winter.

 

[DJ Paul's Arm]

Get off Friday only to be stuck in traffic. Get home late and crash.

Saturday run errands.

Sunday go to sleep early for the beginning of the work week.

 

[Breh13]

You’re out of luck if industry you’re working in is 24/7 or heavily customer focused.

 

[Eastside Get The Money]

For it. I love my weekends, but what I wouldn't d for a Tuesday off to handle business