Sweden made headlines a few months a go after some companies decided to make the shift to a six-hour working day, in an effort to increase productivity and offer staff a more fulfilling work-life balance.
In fact, Toyota workplaces in Gothenburg went down this route thirteen years ago, with great success. It’s been reported that the business experienced a profit increase, higher retention of staff, and happier employees.
Changing working practices
As an employer, it’s likely that you read the latest developments with great interest. But did you applaud the decision to do things a little differently, or did you roll your eyes and quietly confess to yourself, that this kind of working arrangement could never work in your business?
The concept of an eight-hour working day is one that’s been carried down for generations, so it’s no surprise that so many companies work this way, simply because they’ve never even stopped to consider any other alternative.
Maybe you think that cutting down the working day is a nice idea but not something that you could realistically try any time soon, and it’s true that you can’t successfully roll out changes like this overnight. But the changing culture in Sweden offers an excellent opportunity for you to rethink how traditional working practices could be holding your business back.
Constraints of eight-hour working days
Let’s consider the constraints of an eight-hour working day… There’s no denying that it’s almost impossible to stay alert and focused for the entirety of a nine-to-five shift. When it comes to your members of staff, and even your own performance, it’s highly likely that a significant chunk of the day is spent on mundane tasks that add no value to the business. From browsing social media to staring out the window looking for a little inspiration, eight hours in the office are very rarely eight hours of productivity.
And of course, we’re all familiar with how tricky it can be to find a happy balance between work and our personal lives. If we could find the secret sauce that allowed us to work less hours, enjoy more time at home, and still make an effective contribution at work, then the benefits could be endless.
Swedish companies embracing the six-hour day will no doubt have their fair share of challenges ahead, but with effective leadership and a commitment to questioning the status quo, it could prove to be one of the most meaningful initiatives that the world of employment has ever seen.
Is productivity a problem in your workplace? Perhaps your staff are struggling to stay focused for the whole of their working day, complaining that managing their private life outside of work is difficult. We’d love to hear your views, and about your own working practices.