The shorter work week is "good for the soul"

Employees who participated in a four-day work trial said that their quality of life had improved tremendously and that they were continuing to do their job.

Photo: 123RF

Perpetual Guardian financial services firm tested the work week with its 240 employees more than eight weeks earlier this year. They reduced their working hours to a four-day week, but they were paid for a full week.

Employees said that they had reservations about how the trial would work, the results changed life. Vandersteen said that he had chosen to come home early every morning to avoid traffic and pick up his son at school.

"I think the biggest moment was the smile on my son's face when I came in. Where do you come from, why are not you at work Daddy?" [19659005] Marina Contreras, Human Resources, said that she was spending more time with her husband, who worked weekends.

"It gave us time to talk about really important things."

Heather Nicol, Estate Team Manager, said the trial only worked because every employee was determined to do so

"I found that I was working overtime for the other four days, but I found that I was much more focused."

Mixed reaction of ################################################################################## 39, a week shorter

Andrew Barnes, founder of Perpetual Guardian, said that the first worries about work could not be over in a 32-hour week

"The first reaction is:" We can not not do that, we have customers to serve, how could we do it? "You might be surprised."

Kevin Brennan of Wellington said that if the workweek seemed like a good idea, she had problems.

He participated in a four-day program at Rotoneet Print in Petone A few years ago, staff worked four days a week.

Mr. Brennan said he was more involved in his young family.

"It was really good for the # 39, soul and body we have this "

But he said that, even if it started as a brilliant idea, employees ended up taking their leave to meet deadlines.

million. Brennan said companies could not realistically implement a four-day timeframe. But Perpetual Guardian employees said they had to be collaborative and flexible to make it work.

million. Barnes had made recommendations to the board of directors that would look into the possibility of putting in place a shorter work system. week.