The city of Canton, Connecticut, inhabitants 10,124, has been trialing a four-day workweek for its workers for almost a month — and up to now, it has been a hit.
On September 16, the city’s non-unionized workers who work within the city corridor, social companies, and senior companies started getting Fridays off.
“I wished to discover a work-life stability for my workers as a result of I believe that for those who can deal with your private objects at dwelling and you are not nervous about making appointments and caring for your youngsters, and many others, you then’ll be extra laser-focused at work,” Canton’s First Selectman Kevin Witkos advised WTNH Information on Monday.
He added that city workers on the four-day schedule “like it” and “the suggestions has been nice” from residents.
Associated: This Nation Simply Applied a 6-Day Workweek for Workers
City corridor workers now work from 8 a.m. to five p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and work an additional hour on Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to six p.m. Senior and social companies workers’ new schedule is from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday by means of Thursday.
Directors within the city’s Division of Public Works and Police Division are additionally participating within the four-day workweek, per Witkos. The trial interval lasts 4 months, till January.
Canton joins different Connecticut cities, together with Plainville, Redding, and Mansfield in implementing a four-day workweek.
Associated: Samsung Makes 6-Day Workweeks Necessary for Executives
In the meantime, Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor advised Kevin O’Leary in July that the corporate applied a 4-day workweek and so they’re “very productive” inside these 4 days.
“I really like the truth that the folks at our firm have pursuits,” Taylor mentioned.
Most individuals are keen to work extra hours Monday by means of Thursday in the event that they get Friday off. Based on a November 2023 Gallup ballot, 77% of the U.S. workforce are in favor of a 40-hour, 4-day workweek and say it might positively have an effect on their well-being.
The four-day workweek has additionally had confirmed outcomes. In June 2021, 70 firms within the UK experimented with it for six months. The bulk discovered that enterprise productiveness was about the identical or barely increased than it was with a typical five-day week.
Zoom CEO Eric Yuan advised The Verge in June that AI will help minimize the workweek to 3 or 4 days.
“Why not spend extra time with your loved ones?” Yuan mentioned. “Why not deal with some extra inventive issues, supplying you with again your time, giving again to the group and society to assist others, proper? At the moment, the rationale why we can’t do that’s as a result of every single day is busy, 5 days every week. It is boring.”
Associated: Cannot Afford a 4-day Workweek? Attempt a 35-hour One As a substitute