Fives to fours

The number four has been in the news lately with several schools in Texas switching to four-day school weeks, while California is again discussing a roundabout way to implement four-day workweeks for some companies. We also recently tackled the subject via a webinar on the topic; you can watch and listen at bit.ly/LL4dayworkweek.

During the webinar, the presenter, Robert Clinkenbeard, CEO of Bruce Wilson & Co., a green industry consulting company, told us how the landscaping company he previously owned implemented the process.

One of the main reasons for the shift, Clinkenbeard said, was a way to finding labor. Clinkenbeard, like most four-day workweek companies, had four 10-hour days, and not four 8-hour days like is being proposed in California.

The extra day off had a number of benefits, and a recent study in England found that most companies that took part in a 4-day workweek trial run will keep the reduced hours or some version of reduced hours.

I’ve read a handful of articles discussing the pros and cons of the idea, or a variation of it, and I have come to the conclusion that each case and company is different. What a profound response, I know. But honestly, it may work for you, and it may not.

I also read about some non-industry companies trying the 9-day fortnight — over a 14 day span — nine are working days and five are off.

Part of being a great leader is taking risks if you think it benefits your company. That could be shifting your mindset from the usual work routine to something different.

If finding and retaining labor is an issue for you, look into shifting how your workweek is shaped. Ask your employees if that is something they would like. Maybe they will tell you absolutely not, or maybe they are all in and are telling family and friends.

Clinkenbeard said the key to making the change was communicating with employees and customers how the change would work and what would be different. That’s a fact when investigating the change, too.

It doesn’t hurt to consider it. It may be a change that catapults you above the competition — seven days a week.