Experiences and Results: The First Year with a Four-Day Workweek
The first year with a four-day workweek has brought many positive changes that have renewed our work culture and improved our well-being. This change has not only increased our efficiency but has also enriched our lives outside the workplace. Through these experiences and results, we have realized how a shorter workweek can be the key to a more balanced and joyful work life. Here are the most significant observations and insights from the first year.
Renewed Work Joy – 18 Years in the Same Company but in a New Way
One of the most significant effects of the four-day workweek has been the increased joy at work. It is liberating to see employees come to work full of energy and motivation. Rest has not only increased productivity but has also strengthened team cohesion. It is clear that when room is given for rest and recovery, creativity flourishes. People simply enjoy being together more.
Health and Well-being
Another major change has been the improvement in the general health and well-being of the employees. The extra day off has provided more time for exercise, relaxation, and spending time with loved ones. This has reduced sick leave, maybe not drastically, but noticeably. Symptoms like headaches and migraines have decreased, and some have even shed a few kilos!
More Effective Communication Methods
Fewer working days per week have made it necessary to enhance communication methods. Although cloud-based systems were already in use, old habits, such as handwritten notes, persisted. After making the changes, communication has become clearer and more focused, leading to faster decision-making and smoother workflow. Greater personal responsibility and decentralized decision-making have also grown.
Since everyone is now more often present at the same time, the need for communication has decreased. Previously, someone was often off on other days; now, the time off is centralized on Fridays.
Challenges of Technology and Learning
Introducing new AI tools and letting go of old work methods has been a major part of the change in the past year. Is it harder to unlearn old methods or to adopt new ones? To leave things for AI to handle? It can be challenging.
However, the four-day workweek has provided the necessary rest to embrace new tools and methods. A rested mind has been crucial for the ability to learn and implement new technology. This change has accelerated digital transformation and made the workplace more competitive.
Stronger Together – "Find the Golden Middle Ground"
An unexpected effect of the four-day week has been how it has strengthened personal bonds within the team. Spending less time together has actually brought people closer. We don't see each other all the time, and when we do, we are more refreshed than before! The absence of small complaints, like forgotten coffee cups, has improved collaboration. It may sound strange, but for us, it's true!
Tell Everyone – Even the Postman
Initially, there was some nervousness about how customers would react, but there haven't been any major problems. It took some time for the logistics to settle, and everyone was informed that we don't work on Fridays. Since our online store operates 24/7 and deliveries also come to our warehouse on Fridays, the beginning was a bit bumpy before everyone learned the codes and systems. In hindsight, we should have communicated even more and more often, as it could have saved some confusion. Now that it works, the logistics are smoother. We often don't even notice when goods come in and go out of our warehouse. This "contactless" method of handling goods saves us costs daily.
Better Profitability with Lower Turnover
We would have hoped to start in a better economic situation because we would, of course, have liked to announce that our turnover has grown, but that has not been the case. Our key customers include interior design stores and construction companies, and it's been a tough period for house builders. This has directly affected our turnover. However, we are achieving better results with lower turnover. During the year, we have launched the Swedish site aveohome.se. Now, our website aveo.fi is also international, serving customers worldwide.
More Companies Will Choose the Four-Day Model in the Future
The benefits of the four-day workweek have been dominant. The model may not suit all companies, but for us, it has enabled a balanced, productive, and joyful work environment. It does, however, require courage, flexibility, and a willingness to change traditional practices.
In the future, working life will demand consideration of the whole individual. It's time to evaluate how we can achieve a better quality of life by focusing on employees' experiences, knowledge, and empathy, rather than just productivity metrics.
Employees' Experiences of the Four-Day Workweek:
Sonja Heikkilä, Graphic Designer:
"As a mother of small children, the four-day workweek has made my daily life significantly easier. I can work hard for four days and then focus on my family for three days. On Mondays, I can return to work with completely new energy, and thanks to the long weekend, I feel like I'm working very efficiently."
Charlotta Wiklund, Architect:
"Since Aveo switched to a four-day week, Friday has become my day. It's when I can take care of myself, relax, read a book, work out, or do something fun. Since the kids are in school and daycare, I have the whole morning to myself, which is incredible luxury for a mother of three. After that, I have much more energy to do something fun with the whole family over the weekend and enjoy working on Monday morning. Then I feel rested and ready for a new and fun workweek."
Shidhanshu Khandelwal, Marketing and E-commerce Intern:
"Having a four-day workweek has been a revelation for both my work and personal life. It has enhanced my focus and productivity at work while also providing me extra time to travel and unwind. This balance has greatly enriched my overall well-being and satisfaction."