4-day Work Week: Is India Ready for it?
Theme: The 4-day workweek seems a novel concept. But in a country like India wherein a number of groups are yet to just accept the 5-day week format, a four-day workweek seems like a distant dream. Even though it can result in demanding situations in implementation; however, if done nicely, it is able to result in many tremendous modifications. According to a survey performed in 2022, approximately 59% of the Indian group of workers isn’t always glad at work and has a terrible work-life balance. What Is The 4-Day Work Week? A 4-day work week is an experiment where professionals work for 4 days but with longer hours each day, totaling the same old 48 hours of working time. Under this work subculture, employees are paid for their four-day shifts and working hours from Monday to Thursday and get 3 days off per week from Friday to Sunday. The 4-day workweek lifestyle is spreading hastily across main cities like London, Canada, and the USA, as it may increase productivity even by lowering strain ranges and offering better work-life balance for employees. Companies which offer 4 days Work Week: Advocates for Youth – United States Panasonic – Japan Augury – United States Bolt Financial – United States Merit America – United States Samba Safety – United States New Leaders – United States Pros Of 4-Day Work Week : Here are three pros of a 4-day working week in an effort to make you want to replace this agenda. 1. Happier and More Satisfied Employees: Studies show that employees on a four-day workweek are less likely to go away from their job, saving money and growing loyalty. In addition, they enjoy much less pressure due to the fact they have 3 days off at some stage in the week, which makes them experience efficient enough for the rest of the week. They are greater happy with their jobs and hold a healthy lifestyle, which lets them perform better than in the event that they were running five days per week. Moreover, happier and more satisfied personnel have a tendency to supply better fine work and offer extra revolutionary ideas that help businesses grow and be extra productive. 2. Higher Productivity: If your company is struggling to stay highly productive or meet valuable business goals, such as reducing costs and increasing profits, you can straight away adopt this four-day workweek plan. Workers on this type of arrangement are typically more motivated and tend to get more done since they have an extra day off during the week to recharge and take care of personal tasks. The reduced workdays translate into increased productivity, enabling them to deliver high-quality results and complete projects faster than before. 3. Better Work-Life Balance: A 4-day work week creates a better balance between life and work by using giving workers 3 days off in the course of the week in which they are able to loosen up and spend time on their hobbies, with their own family, or doing household chores. They can also read books or just go out for coffee, which enables them to recharge and stay a healthier way of life that in the end leads to higher productivity once they go back to work on Monday morning. Cons of 4-day Work Week: Here are three Cons of a 4-day Work Week. 1. You become working longer hours compared to the usual hours: Working from Monday to Friday is the norm for most people, so in case you handiest have 4 days to get your work finished, then this indicates you need to put in greater hours a day on average to complete your activity. These extra hours and efforts can cause more pressure and multiplied dangers of burnout which could negatively affect the performance of employees at the organisation and the best of their work, ensuing in a decrease in general productiveness. 2. Four-day work weeks aren’t feasible for every person: To see the actual price of switching to a four-day workweek, businesses must first verify whether or now not they employ various people or provide flexible work preparations. For example, many roles require long intervals of continuous awareness without any breaks or interruptions, making the four-day workweek tough to choose. Therefore this working tradition isn’t possible for all, as it could bring about low productivity for folks that work in extra positions and who need to preserve attention for the duration of an entire shift to get their obligations performed. 3. More trouble in organising exercises: One of the primary complaints of a 4-day work week is how difficult it might be to keep some semblance of routine while life moves quicker than ever before. By increasing the variety of hours in a standard workday, one inevitably works later into the night to finish what she or he desires to do for the day. This can cause risky workouts and sleep schedules, that are destructive to standard health and well-being and may motivate various fitness problems, resulting in reduced typical efficiency and performance. The 4-day Work Week in other countries: UAE was the first country to announce the 4-day work week in the world in December 2021. Later, the companies in UAE decided to make a strategy called 4-and a half-day workweek to increase productivity. Errejon of Mias Pas, Spain proposed the strategy to all the Spanish companies. This proposal is getting popular and has received some positive outcomes. Iceland hosted the largest trial of a 4-day work week from 2015-2019. And, it was a huge success for all the employers and employees. Scotland viewed an 80% increase in productivity and met their business goals with happiness and health. Ireland and New Zealand also had a 20% improvement in the business sector through their pilot program. 4-day Work Week Culture in India: Sandesha Jaitapkar, COO and CHRO, of Artha Group, which operates in the energy and new sectors, has an interesting take on this. She says that when COVID hit in 2020,
Work from Home vs Work from Office: The Strong Pros and Cons 2023
Work from Home vs Work from Office Theme: The concept of Work from home is the best way to better balance your professional and personal responsibilities. For example, you can take care of a sick child during the day without needing to take time off from work. Over 60% of Americans are working from home due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent survey by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Some employees have reported advantages such as greater work-life balance and cost savings on commuting, while others have experienced isolation and burnout. Advantages of Working from home: Increased flexibility: One of the biggest advantages of working from home is the ability to create a schedule that works best for you. For example, if you are a morning person, you can start your workday earlier and finish earlier in the day. Reduced commute: When working from home, you don’t need to spend time and money commuting to an office, which can be a huge time saver and cost reducer. Improved work-life balance: Working from home allows you to better balance your professional and personal responsibilities. For example, you can take care of a sick child or run errands during the day without needing to take time off from work. Increased productivity: Without the distractions of an office environment, some people find that they can be more focused and productive when working from home. For example, a quiet home office with minimal interruptions can lead to better concentration and quicker task completion. Better health: Remote work allows to have more control over their physical environment, you can have better posture, better lighting, less noise, and other environmental factors, reducing the risk of health issues such as back pain, headaches, and eye strain. Cost savings: Working from home can also save money in the long run. For example, you don’t need to spend money on gas or public transportation to get to the office, and you can save money on things like coffee and lunch. Environmentally Friendly: Remote work reduces the carbon footprint of transportation. According to a study by the environmental consulting firm, Carbon Trust, remote work can reduce carbon emissions by up to 20%. Disadvantages of Working from home: Isolation and lack of social interaction: Without the daily interactions that come with working in an office, some people may feel isolated and lonely. This can also lead to feelings of burnout and reduced job satisfaction. Difficulty separating work and personal life: When working from home, it can be challenging to separate work and personal life, which can lead to longer work hours and a lack of work-life balance. For example, working in a home office may make it difficult to “switch off” from work when the workday is over. Difficulty collaborating and communicating: Remote work can make it more difficult to collaborate and communicate with coworkers, clients, and other stakeholders. For example, it can be harder to have spontaneous conversations or to provide hands-on support when working remotely. Lack of structure and accountability: Without the structure and routine of an office environment, some people may find it harder to stay organized and motivated. For example, working from home can lead to procrastination and lack of focus if an employee doesn’t set a clear schedule. Distractions: It is easy to get distracted from household chores, family members, or other things when working from home. For example, home-schooling children while working can prove to be a big distraction. Unfavourable working conditions: Lack of proper office equipment and workstations can lead to discomfort, pain, and long-term health issues. Security risks: When working from home, it is harder to protect company data and equipment from security risks such as hacking or physical theft. It is also harder to ensure that employees are properly trained and equipped to handle sensitive data when working remotely. Advantages of working from the office: Improved collaboration and communication: Working in an office allows for face-to-face interaction and spontaneous conversations, which can lead to better teamwork and increased productivity. For example, having a quick conversation with a colleague can help to clarify a task or solve a problem more quickly than sending an email. Increased accountability and structure: In an office setting, there is a set schedule and routine that can help employees stay on task and motivated. For example, regular team meetings can help to keep everyone informed and on track. Access to office resources: When working in an office, employees have access to resources such as office equipment, supplies, and technology that can make their work more efficient. For example, having a large monitor can help with better visualization and faster editing of documents. Professional development and growth opportunities: In an office environment, employees have more opportunities for professional development, such as mentoring and training programs. For example, attending company-wide meetings and events can help employees to stay informed about company developments and new industry trends. Sense of community and belonging: being part of an office environment can foster a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and motivation. For example, team-building activities and office events can help build stronger relationships among coworkers. Clarity of roles and hierarchies: An office environment clearly defines roles, responsibilities and hierarchies, leading to better communication, delegation, and decision-making. Improved company culture: An office environment can also help to foster a positive company culture by creating a sense of community among employees and promoting a shared sense of purpose. Disadvantages of Working from Office: Here are a few disadvantages of working in an office, with examples: Commuting: A long or difficult commute can be time-consuming, stressful, and expensive. For example, sitting in traffic for a long time can make an employee arrive at work tired and stressed. Lack of flexibility: In an office setting, employees are typically required to follow a set schedule, which may not work for everyone. For example, a parent with young children may not be able to work traditional office hours. Distractions: An
Work life balance – Myth or Reality 2023
Theme:- In India around 75% of people are not able to manage their personal life as well as their professional life. “Invest in your work life balance, time with friends and family is as important as time at work”. What is Work life balance? It is a state of balance between one’s professional life and personal life. Where a person equally prioritizes his personal life as well as his one’s career. When creating a schedule that works for you, think about the best way to achieve balance at work and in your personal life. Work-life balance is less about dividing the hours in your day evenly between work and personal life and, instead, is more about having the flexibility to get things done in your professional life while still having time and energy to enjoy your personal life. Major reasons for an unbalanced work life are stress, longer working hours, increased responsibilities, and many more. Why is it important:- According to the recent work survey of 2019 by Mavenlink, it is noted that 62% of the respondents consider work-life balance as a crucial aspect of a company’s culture. Ways to achieve a healthy work life balance:- Use your PTO(Paid time off leave):-There must be boundaries set between work time and time off. In the US around 55% of American workers don’t use their PTO because of their workload, but every person needs to take time to recharge to become more creative and better. Find the right company culture:- One must look for a job with a flexible working schedule, monetary and non-monetary benefits, a remote workplace, and employee engagement activities. Do what you love:– find a job that matches your passion so you’ll be ultimately happier with work and life. Take breaks while working:- According to the survey, after working for 52 minutes you must take a break of 10 minutes to refresh and re-engage your brain in work without losing focus. Prioritizing tasks:- Better planning leads to effective outcomes which help in unnecessary time delays and reduced stress. Common myths of work life balance:-