How We Evaluated: Our Own 4-Day Work Week Pilot
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At Three Hive Consulting, we recently embarked on an innovative journey to pilot a 4-Day Work Week (4DWW). Because we’re evaluators, we tasked ourselves with assessing the impact of this new work schedule. Here, we share the methods and insights from our evaluation process.
Evaluation Methods
Our team of evaluators employed a mixed-methods approach to evaluate our experience of the 4DWW. This included both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques to provide a comprehensive understanding of its impact.
Quantitative data was gathered through surveys distributed to all employees twice: just before we started, and about 6 months later. These surveys included Likert scale questions to measure various aspects such as work-life balance, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. The quantitative data provided a broad overview of the general sentiment and measurable outcomes associated with the 4DWW.
To complement the survey data, we discussed the 4DWW at our regular weekly and quarterly team meetings. This less formal qualitative approach allowed us to delve deeper into individual experiences, uncovering detailed feedback on the benefits and challenges of the 4DWW. We have also held informal conversations with our clients about the 4DWW.
The combination of survey data and discussion findings offered a well-rounded perspective on the initiative.
Key Findings
The evaluation revealed several significant benefits of the 4DWW. One of the most notable advantages was the improvement in work-life balance. Employees reported having more time for personal activities, which contributed to better mental and physical health. As one team member noted, "Having Fridays to get stuff done at home has made Mon-Thurs less chaotic". This additional day off allowed employees to recharge, leading to more focused and productive work during the remaining four days.
In terms of productivity, our team reported that the need to complete tasks within a shorter timeframe encouraged us to focus more on each task. "I have been able to focus in more on each task, as the 4DWW adds a slight pressure and artificial deadline to get more done in less time," shared another team member. This focused approach not only enhanced productivity but also allowed for more flexibility to enjoy life outside of work.
We also explored the impact on employee retention. While retention has never been a problem at Three Hive, our team members shared that the 4DWW does make Three Hive a more appealing organization to remain with and that moving back to a 5DWW would be unattractive.
Not all results were positive. In our conversations with clients, one reported that our team being unavailable on Fridays was too great a challenge, and contributed to them not renewing their contract when the term ended. Most clients, however, have been supportive and curious.
Challenges and Recommendations
Despite the numerous benefits, the team identified some challenges associated with the 4DWW. One of the main difficulties was adjusting to completing all the work in 80% of the time. This made workdays more intense and required careful planning and time management. "Doing 100% of my work in 80% of the time is a challenge that takes adjusting to and does make the workdays more intense," shared one team member.
To address these challenges, we implemented strategies such as time blocking and front-loading the week. Scheduling important tasks early in the week ensures that critical work is completed on time. "I have found that scheduling my work and time blocking has worked well for project work," a team member recommended.
What has proven to be more difficult is understanding the impact on our corporate revenue and profit. Project-based work is highly variable, and many factors influence whether we win new work through competitive award processes, and the extent to which each project yields a profit.
Conclusion
The evaluation of the 4DWW by our team of evaluators provided valuable insights into its benefits and challenges. We’ve learned that the 4DWW offers a promising approach to improving work-life balance and productivity, and requires careful planning and time management. We’re happy to announce that based on our evaluation efforts, we have made the 4DWW permanent at Three Hive Consulting. Our team now work a standard day Monday through Thursday, with no reduction in pay.
We now let clients know early on in the engagement process that we are generally not available on Fridays; we do make some exceptions, in the same way that we must sometimes accommodate data collection or knowledge translation in the early or late hours of weekdays, or on weekends. Our email signatures include a reminder that we are away from our inboxes on Fridays. So far, we have had no negative feedback about our 4DWW from potential clients. There may be times when we are not selected and we aren’t aware that the 4DWW was a factor, but that’s okay!