Can Switching to a 5-Day Workweek Boost Productivity in Our IT Company?

Dear all,

I am working with an IT solutions company where we have a 6-day working week. I have been asked to redesign HR policies. I want to ask, will reducing the working week from 6 days to 5 days help increase productivity? Based on my discussions with our employees, most of them are not happy working on Saturdays. So, if we reduce it to a 5-day working week, will it have positive effects or will it lead to adverse consequences?

Please reply.

Thanks and Regards,

Archana

Dear Archana,

Employee productivity does not depend only on the number of weekdays. It also depends on employees' skills, knowledge, motivation, work culture, and knowledge management, among other factors. There is so much hidden expenditure involved that management generally does not take into account. What you are concentrating on is only the tip of the iceberg. What about the bottom portion of the iceberg?

Ok...

Dinesh V Divekar

Dear Mr. Dinesh,

I believe that most of the employees are not happy because other departments may have a 5-day working week. This might be the reason employees are citing for their lack of productivity.

Thanks and Regards,
Raj

"The trouble with being punctual is that no one is there to appreciate it."

Dear Raj,

It is a matter of perception. Employees always have a pinch of what they do not have rather than what they have. I would recommend Archana to design measures of performance and then shift to a 5-day work week. Therefore, the number of days of the week will not matter.

Productivity depends on workplace communication, coordination, and so on. Let me reiterate that the number of working hours is only a part of it. Doing more or producing more by consuming less working capital is a major challenge for any organization, and this does not depend alone on the number of working hours.

Ok...

Dinesh V Divekar

We can easily evaluate productivity in a biscuit production company. However, in a knowledge company or creative industry, benchmarking productivity and scientifically evaluating productivity is very difficult but possible.

In an IT solutions company, productivity depends on factors such as the nature of work, skill level of people, management control, morale, and motivation of people. IT professionals are accustomed to working late hours, or we can say they are flexible. Therefore, a 5-day work week could be a good option if it motivates employees. Increased morale and motivation will always lead to higher productivity.

A 5-day work week may also help the company reduce expenses related to power, internet, telephone, and other office maintenance costs.

Dear Archana,

Yes, reducing working days from 6 to 5 may help employees to stay motivated and give their best to the organization during those 5 days, while also enabling them to manage their other responsibilities in the remaining two days.

From Rashmi Ranjan
A student in PGDM HR

You can reduce the workweek to 5 days, but what of the "lost" hours of productivity?

In my experience, reducing the workdays and adding increased hours per shift, along with an additional refresher break (3, instead of 2, 10-minute breaks during the shift, as well as a 30-minute lunch period), should produce increased morale, leading to increased productivity and quality. Employees will be more refreshed with 2 days of rest, have more family time, and save on commuter costs. The company will realize savings based on the reduced utility usage.

PALADIN

Is there a required minimum work hour as stipulated in the Employment Act of your country? You might have to conduct a feasibility study that includes pros & cons before making the change.

In meeting the demand of staff, a client of mine decided to start work early by half an hour, have a shorter lunch break by half an hour, and end work one hour later. By doing this, the Saturday half-day was spread out over the weekdays while still meeting the requirements of the Employment Act and the Collective Agreement. This arrangement worked well for a year or two, but the shortened lunch break became a point of dissatisfaction when the company conducted their Employee Satisfaction Survey. It was evident that the staff had forgotten the reasons and agreement for the change. Therefore, it is essential to conduct thorough research before implementing any changes.

Autumn Jane