[#6-Insight] - Is the 4-day workweek forcing us to rethink office spaces? 👀
What's up in the workplace? 👀
In today’s workplace, one trend has been gaining significant momentum - the shift towards a 4-day workweek. But what exactly does this entail, and how is it impacting offices?
Two types of 4-day workweek ☝️
The 4-day workweek concept can take two main forms. The first involves condensing the traditional 40-hour workweek into four 10-hour days (ouch 🧠), ensuring employees still complete the same total number of hours. Companies like Shake Shack and Elephant Insurance have implemented this model. Nobody asked for my opinion but I can tell you that this is not my fav type 4-day workweek 🙄.
The second approach is to simply reduce the total number of working hours per week, such as the 32-hour workweek trialed by companies like Hubspot and Welcome to the Jungle. Now we’re talking! This allows employees to maintain their regular 8-hour days AND take an entire day off, providing a clear boost to work-life balance.👏
4-days workweek = less days at the office 😱
Regardless of how companies decide to implement the 4-day workweek, it is changing how they utilize their physical spaces. Offices were already getting pretty empty with the rise of remote work. Now that more companies are embracing this new trend, we need to adapt the way we use office spaces (and trust me, your office probably already needed a serious makeover 😇).
Here’s how:
Optimizing desk space 🪑: with fewer employees physically present on any given day, companies can potentially downsize their office and get creative with desk arrangements. Activity-based seating and flex-office seem inevitable in this context. If you didn’t downsize during the pandemic, now is the time. 👌
Modular workspaces: gone are the days of the old school open space. Offices are embracing modular, reconfigurable workspaces that can be easily adapted to suit the needs of a 4-day week. Walls that slide, desks that transform, and even entire rooms that can be rearranged at the touch of a button – the possibilities are endless! 🤖
Immersive collaboration hubs: with fewer employees physically present, offices are stepping up their virtual collaboration game. Picture high-tech "collaboration hubs" equipped with top notch technology. The days of awkward Zoom calls are numbered, my friends. 🧑💻
Wellness wonderlands: rather than stocking up on sugary snacks and ping-pong tables, your offices are now prioritizing amenities that REALLY nurture employee well-being during the 4-day workweek. How? By asking employees what they REALLY need.
Adaptive layouts: in a 4-day workweek world, one-size-fits-all office layouts simply won't cut it (sorry). Companies need to design spaces that can adapt to the ebb and flow of employee presence, with intelligent sensors and automation ensuring the right balance of open collaboration and focused work areas. 🏢
Make no mistake - this revolution won't happen overnight. It will take a lot of will to experiment, a good amount of tolerance for change, and a deep understanding of employees’ new needs. But for those willing to lead the charge, the rewards is worth it. Are we going towards a world where employee are excited to clock in rather than clock out?! ⏰
Nermine Kay - NK Consulting 🇫🇷 / NKay Consulting LLC 🇺🇸
I'm Nermine Kay, a communication consultant specialized in the future of work!
Hit reply if you want to work with me on your communication strategy, LinkedIn branding and / or content creation!
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