Persuasive Business Memo on Four Day Workweek

¶ … boost morale, reduce overhead costs and also improve productivity? Sounds too good to be true? Actually, it is not: the solution is the four-day workweek. This proposed change would involve compressing the work week into four 10-hour days, thus allowing workers to have a 'long' weekend of three days on a regular basis.

First and foremost, a four-day workweek is often favored by employees who want to spend more time with their families or more time enjoying their personal hobbies outside of work. They have a full day to take care of personal matters, can sleep 'in' an extra day, and have greater flexibility in terms of scheduling other commitments. They do not have to commute five days a week to work, thus reducing the wear and tear of commuting on both their bodies and cars. They can save on gas money, thus adding to their salary.

From a company perspective, a four-day workweek means reduced overhead costs in terms of the amount of time employees are staying within the building. Also, employees will spend less time getting into work and getting settled every day, and more hours per day actually working.

A number of workplaces have instituted the four-day workweek with great success. The state of Utah, in response to rising gas prices, recently instituted this program for its state employees. Now 70% of Utah state workers say they prefer the shorter week. Employees are taking fewer personal days and productivity has increased 9% (Brunden 2009). Software CEO Jason Fried praised the four-day workweek at his company, noting that "when you have a compressed workweek, you tend to focus on what's important" (Drexler 2012). Many hard-working professionals make effective use of the four-day week: "44% of female doctors now work four or fewer days a week, up from 29% in 2005" (Drexler 2013).