OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is about the potential impacts of moving to a four-day workweek.
I read the recent article “The Rise of the Four-Day Workweek,” published in OrilliaMatters, about implementing a four-day workweek. I found the arguments presented in the article compelling.
A four-day workweek is quite appealing in this society, where work demands are often imposed upon personal lives. If the workweek were condensed, employee productivity would thrive while allowing for the opportunity to improve an individual's well-being. The traditional nine-to-five, five-day workweek is outdated in our era, and technological advancements are shifting our lives today.
As the article pointed out, productivity should not be measured solely by the number of hours spent in the office but by the quality of work produced, and I believe that the four-day workweek has the potential to address numerous challenges facing our society, including burnout, stress-related illnesses, and work-life imbalance.
As a wife and mother of two, I feel that the race is on once the clock strikes 5 p.m. Pickups, dinner, clubs, homework, showers, and bed are just an example of one day out of the week, and the weekends are no better. Having an extra day of rest and allowing time with our loved ones would provide the necessary care that is formative for a child before age five and allow for interest building in our teenagers' lives, which is essential to building young, responsible adults. Not to mention if we want time for our own interests.
I mean, who doesn't want to spend more delightful moments cuddling with our children, taking that walk on the beach arm in arm with our significant other or even a fun game of catch with the family pet? A company can build a healthier and more fulfilled workforce by offering employees this extra day for rest, leisure, and personal pursuits.
OrilliaMatters continues to provide insightful commentary on topics shaping our world. I look forward to further articles exploring the benefits of the four-day workweek. OrilliaMatters is creating awareness for their readers and community while continuing to engage in discussions about how we can make a more sustainable and equitable work environment for all.
Kristin Chen
Orillia
