Comments on: The Four Day Work Week http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/ Automation Integration using Lean Principles Tue, 07 Sep 2010 03:03:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1.1 hourly 1 By: ScottP http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/cpage/1.html#comment-16 ScottP Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:45:52 +0000 http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/#comment-16 Heather, I really identify with you. I am also in my early 50's, I am working a 4 day work week, I exercise with my wife for one hour every morning, and I don't like being forced to do things. I do however love the 4 day work week. In my case, the company is not open for normal business on Friday, so even though I have to work the 4 day week, I was only indirectly forced (and I didn't object). There are lots of other things to consider though. There is less traffic on the roads, less pollution, less gas, less miles on your car. In addition, as an industrial automation programmer, I find that once I am "on a roll", I can get really deep into my work and accomplish more. It's easy to see that there is a certain amount of time "wasted" getting into the office, logging in, checking phone and e-mail messages etc. These daily chores are reduced to 4 as well. I really feel that it is a more efficient way to work. On the other hand, working much more than 10 hours in a day tends to be waring and for many people becomes counter productive. I have seen some people work 3 - 13 hours days in a week (39 hours), but I think they were less productive. I know that you don't like being forced into things and I sympathise with that. On a personal level, try to be positive about it and appreciate the benefits. I absolutely love spending a whole day with my wife every friday. It is like a mini vacation every week. I wish you the best of luck. Scott Heather, I really identify with you. I am also in my early 50’s, I am working a 4 day work week, I exercise with my wife for one hour every morning, and I don’t like being forced to do things. I do however love the 4 day work week. In my case, the company is not open for normal business on Friday, so even though I have to work the 4 day week, I was only indirectly forced (and I didn’t object). There are lots of other things to consider though. There is less traffic on the roads, less pollution, less gas, less miles on your car. In addition, as an industrial automation programmer, I find that once I am “on a roll”, I can get really deep into my work and accomplish more. It’s easy to see that there is a certain amount of time “wasted” getting into the office, logging in, checking phone and e-mail messages etc. These daily chores are reduced to 4 as well. I really feel that it is a more efficient way to work. On the other hand, working much more than 10 hours in a day tends to be waring and for many people becomes counter productive. I have seen some people work 3 - 13 hours days in a week (39 hours), but I think they were less productive.

I know that you don’t like being forced into things and I sympathise with that. On a personal level, try to be positive about it and appreciate the benefits. I absolutely love spending a whole day with my wife every friday. It is like a mini vacation every week.

I wish you the best of luck.
Scott

]]> By: ksmith http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/cpage/1.html#comment-15 ksmith Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:18:38 +0000 http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/#comment-15 Hi Heather, We did a gradual approach into the 4 day work week where the engineers did it for a while before everyone else did so I had some time to get used to the idea. I was worried about it at first, thinking geez somedays I don't have enough to keep me busy for 8 hours what am I going to do on those days when I'm working 10? I too work out 3 days a week and was worried about that and about if I was ever going to be able to make it through the day. After working on this for six months now, here is what I found personally. It took about 3 weeks for my body to become acclimated to working the longer days. I did go to bed earlier for those 3 weeks, but after that my body was able to handle that this was the new norm. I sleep in on Friday & Saturday's a little but I have found that on a regular basis I no longer need to go to bed any earlier than I did when I worked 5 days a week. As far as working when I was at work, I have found that I get more done with a 4 day week. For the first couple of months it took some adjusting in my thinking. I have these 10 things that need to get done this week, if I get at least 2 a day I'll be fine. When it came to Thursday and I had to do 4 big tasks because I spaced out that I didn't work Fridays anymore. Now it seems like I am able to better manage my time and I have been able to fit everything that I did in 5 days in 4, and I haven't found many times where I had nothing to do. Thanksgiving and Christmas time were my exceptions. I have been working out for almost 4 years now, 3 days a week after work. I workout with my sister so that keeps me motivated to make sure I am ready when she gets off work. The most important thing for us is to be accountable to each other, if I know she's going to be there waiting for me I am less likely to say maybe I'll work out tomorrow. I don't know if that would work for you and your husband to be accountable to each other? Tell him you will meet him at the gym right after he gets off and then go home and eat dinner afterwards. You might have more consistency if he goes straight from the gym instead of coming home after work where he'll be tempted to do "other" things once he gets there. I have found that I LOVE having my Fridays off. I go out and spend time with my parents, some of my friends are stay at home mom's so instead of going out in the evenings after work I find I can spend time with them on Fridays so their evenings are free to be with their families. I have even taken short vacations on my weekend, in October I went to San Diego, flew out Thursday night and back Sunday night and I didn't have to use any vacation days. Everyone's experience is different, I hope that if your husband does move to the 4 day work week that you will be able to find the benefits of it like I have. Kara Hi Heather,
We did a gradual approach into the 4 day work week where the engineers did it for a while before everyone else did so I had some time to get used to the idea. I was worried about it at first, thinking geez somedays I don’t have enough to keep me busy for 8 hours what am I going to do on those days when I’m working 10? I too work out 3 days a week and was worried about that and about if I was ever going to be able to make it through the day.

After working on this for six months now, here is what I found personally. It took about 3 weeks for my body to become acclimated to working the longer days. I did go to bed earlier for those 3 weeks, but after that my body was able to handle that this was the new norm. I sleep in on Friday & Saturday’s a little but I have found that on a regular basis I no longer need to go to bed any earlier than I did when I worked 5 days a week. As far as working when I was at work, I have found that I get more done with a 4 day week. For the first couple of months it took some adjusting in my thinking. I have these 10 things that need to get done this week, if I get at least 2 a day I’ll be fine. When it came to Thursday and I had to do 4 big tasks because I spaced out that I didn’t work Fridays anymore. Now it seems like I am able to better manage my time and I have been able to fit everything that I did in 5 days in 4, and I haven’t found many times where I had nothing to do. Thanksgiving and Christmas time were my exceptions.

I have been working out for almost 4 years now, 3 days a week after work. I workout with my sister so that keeps me motivated to make sure I am ready when she gets off work. The most important thing for us is to be accountable to each other, if I know she’s going to be there waiting for me I am less likely to say maybe I’ll work out tomorrow. I don’t know if that would work for you and your husband to be accountable to each other? Tell him you will meet him at the gym right after he gets off and then go home and eat dinner afterwards. You might have more consistency if he goes straight from the gym instead of coming home after work where he’ll be tempted to do “other” things once he gets there.

I have found that I LOVE having my Fridays off. I go out and spend time with my parents, some of my friends are stay at home mom’s so instead of going out in the evenings after work I find I can spend time with them on Fridays so their evenings are free to be with their families. I have even taken short vacations on my weekend, in October I went to San Diego, flew out Thursday night and back Sunday night and I didn’t have to use any vacation days.

Everyone’s experience is different, I hope that if your husband does move to the 4 day work week that you will be able to find the benefits of it like I have.
Kara

]]> By: Heather http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/cpage/1.html#comment-14 Heather Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:38:00 +0000 http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/#comment-14 I have nothing to do with the company here, but I found the blog/discussion board in a google search for pros and cons on a 4 day work week. My husband has been working at a new company for about 2 months now. Most people there work a 4 day week, but my husband does not, opting for the traditional 5 day week. Today, they put out a memo saying they may force everyone to go to 4 days and I am extremely concerned about it. Most information I find is in favor of the 4 day week. But I am afraid it overlooks some very serious problems. My main opposition to it is the effect it would have on exercise habits and sleep schedules. I'll admit, it is already like pulling teeth to get my husband to exercise just 20 minutes or so. But, we recently joined Jenny Craig and he was really making an effort. We've both lost about 15 pounds in the past two months. If he works from early in the morning to later in the evening, after his 30-45 minute commute home, he might not have the energy to exercise on a regular and healthy basis. Plus, he'll need to go to bed earlier, cutting down the time available to exercise as well. He said he'd try to exercise after dinner, which we would now have immediately when he gets home, but I just don't see it happening. He is in his 50's, so he really needs to focus on his health. Plus, we are trying to have children and I am concerned about health care arrangements once I return to work myself. While I think it is great to allow employees flexible schedules like 4 day weeks, I do not like being forced into it. It simply doesn't work the same for everyone and I don't think having someone missing around the office for a couple hours a day because they only put in 8 hours is such a big deal. You can always wait and ask them whatever questions you might have the next day. The fifth day wouldn't be wasted either just because more people work the 4 days. It would allow my husband to catch up on things he couldn't accomplish when everyone was there, like research and writing projects. Has anyone here encountered any problems like these? I have nothing to do with the company here, but I found the blog/discussion board in a google search for pros and cons on a 4 day work week. My husband has been working at a new company for about 2 months now. Most people there work a 4 day week, but my husband does not, opting for the traditional 5 day week. Today, they put out a memo saying they may force everyone to go to 4 days and I am extremely concerned about it. Most information I find is in favor of the 4 day week. But I am afraid it overlooks some very serious problems. My main opposition to it is the effect it would have on exercise habits and sleep schedules. I’ll admit, it is already like pulling teeth to get my husband to exercise just 20 minutes or so. But, we recently joined Jenny Craig and he was really making an effort. We’ve both lost about 15 pounds in the past two months. If he works from early in the morning to later in the evening, after his 30-45 minute commute home, he might not have the energy to exercise on a regular and healthy basis. Plus, he’ll need to go to bed earlier, cutting down the time available to exercise as well. He said he’d try to exercise after dinner, which we would now have immediately when he gets home, but I just don’t see it happening. He is in his 50’s, so he really needs to focus on his health. Plus, we are trying to have children and I am concerned about health care arrangements once I return to work myself. While I think it is great to allow employees flexible schedules like 4 day weeks, I do not like being forced into it. It simply doesn’t work the same for everyone and I don’t think having someone missing around the office for a couple hours a day because they only put in 8 hours is such a big deal. You can always wait and ask them whatever questions you might have the next day. The fifth day wouldn’t be wasted either just because more people work the 4 days. It would allow my husband to catch up on things he couldn’t accomplish when everyone was there, like research and writing projects. Has anyone here encountered any problems like these?

]]> By: Four Day Work Week is Here to Stay | Setpoint Systems Blog http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/cpage/1.html#comment-13 Four Day Work Week is Here to Stay | Setpoint Systems Blog Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:04:47 +0000 http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/#comment-13 [...] few months ago Setpoint moved to a 4 day work week. [...] few months ago Setpoint moved to a 4 day work week.

]]> By: Used Corvette http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/cpage/1.html#comment-12 Used Corvette Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:22:51 +0000 http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/#comment-12 I bookmarked your blog, thanks for sharing this very interesting article I bookmarked your blog, thanks for sharing this very interesting article

]]> By: Roger http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/cpage/1.html#comment-11 Roger Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:15:20 +0000 http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/#comment-11 Hi Pat. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind comments. Our 4-day week has been a great success so far, with the hoped-for improvements in productivity and morale blatantly evident to everyone, and we have been very financially successful as well. The only issue that we have had so far has been to sometimes require some volunteers to come in on the occasional Friday to take care of specific customer needs and requests. While we may be on a 4-day work week now, very few of our customers are doing the same, yet. Consequently, we have to work hard to make sure that Setpoint’s availability on Fridays is not an issue for them. The volunteers have been awesome, and we’ve covered some serious customer needs on Fridays over the last few months. But at the same time, we have also seen many of our customers starting to adapt to our new schedule, and whenever possible they will defer their needs until Monday unless of course the issue is critical. So in a nutshell, our experiment has been a big success so far, and we anticipate making it the standard at the end of our 90 day period. On a personal note, I may need to get a part-time job so I have enough money to fund all those three-day weekend adventures that I can do now, but that’s a burden I’m willing to carry! :) Thanks again for stopping by and good luck on your own efforts toward a 4-day week. If you ever have any questions that I may be able to answer on the subject, feel free to email me direct: rogert@setpointusa.com. Roger Hi Pat. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind comments. Our 4-day week has been a great success so far, with the hoped-for improvements in productivity and morale blatantly evident to everyone, and we have been very financially successful as well. The only issue that we have had so far has been to sometimes require some volunteers to come in on the occasional Friday to take care of specific customer needs and requests. While we may be on a 4-day work week now, very few of our customers are doing the same, yet. Consequently, we have to work hard to make sure that Setpoint’s availability on Fridays is not an issue for them. The volunteers have been awesome, and we’ve covered some serious customer needs on Fridays over the last few months. But at the same time, we have also seen many of our customers starting to adapt to our new schedule, and whenever possible they will defer their needs until Monday unless of course the issue is critical. So in a nutshell, our experiment has been a big success so far, and we anticipate making it the standard at the end of our 90 day period. On a personal note, I may need to get a part-time job so I have enough money to fund all those three-day weekend adventures that I can do now, but that’s a burden I’m willing to carry! :)
Thanks again for stopping by and good luck on your own efforts toward a 4-day week. If you ever have any questions that I may be able to answer on the subject, feel free to email me direct: rogert@setpointusa.com.

Roger

]]> By: Pat Charlton http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/cpage/1.html#comment-10 Pat Charlton Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:48:17 +0000 http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/#comment-10 I enjoyed reading your article on the 4-day work week. Please let me know how it is going. We are trying to propose a trial period as well, but we haven't got past the proposal part yet. Let me know how SetPoint is making out. I enjoyed reading your article on the 4-day work week. Please let me know how it is going. We are trying to propose a trial period as well, but we haven’t got past the proposal part yet.

Let me know how SetPoint is making out.

]]> By: Alex http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/cpage/1.html#comment-9 Alex Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:06:08 +0000 http://setpointusa.com/component/wordpress/four-day-work-week/#comment-9 I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road! I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!

]]>