South African companies and organisations have until the end of the month to sign up for the first phase of the local four-day work week pilot programme which has successfully been trialled in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States and Japan by 4 Day Week Global.

4 Day Week Global was established by Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart after Barnes, founder of the large New Zealand corporate trustee company, Perpetual Guardian, started an eight-week trial at his company in 2018. He gave staff a paid day off each week. All other employment conditions remained unchanged as Barnes sought to test productivity, motivation and output.

Barnes’ strategy was centred on ‘working smarter rather than longer’, creating a new way of working to improve productivity and worker health outcomes and to work towards a more sustainable environment.

Now it is South Africa’s turn to participate in this 100–80–100 model (100% of the pay, 80% of the time, 100% of the productivity).

The local pilot is a joint initiative between 4 Day Week Global and the 4 Day Week SA Coalition, described as a group of South African companies that support the four-day week as a key component of the future of work.

4 Day Week SA, which has the backing of the National Business Initiative and the Stellenbosch Business School, says there has been growing interest since plans for the pilot programme were announced.

In a statement, 4 Day Week SA says: “Those ready for what is one of the most ground-breaking workplace experiments of recent times are encouraged to sign up for the pioneer pilot. They will be part of generating research findings that will inform how we create a better South African workplace, for all, into the future.”

The six-month South African trial is expected to start in February 2023. Preparation, training and integration sessions will be held in November and baseline metrics will be established for research in January and February.

Productivity not affected

One of the biggest four-day work week pilot programmes was launched in the UK in June, with more than 3 000 employees at 73 firms taking part. Of the firms surveyed at the halfway mark, 86% said they plan to retain a four-day week when the trial ends in December, while 95% indicated productivity had remained the same or improved.

During a webinar at the end of September, when 4 Day Week SA was launched, Barnes said the four-day work week ‘is not actually rocket science’.

“If you have a more engaged, more empowered, more focused workforce, they will deliver more output than one that isn’t.”

According to 4 Day Week SA, the country is ready for a four-day week.

“The 4-day week model is being adopted all over the world as the future of work and South Africa should not be left behind. Conversations must continue to evolve and represent all voices, from business and employees to government, labour and the South African public.

“With Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2022 report showing that only 24% of South African workers are engaged at work and only 29% of them are thriving in their overall well-being, the time is ripe to relook not just where we work, but how, when and for how long we work.”

The organisation says the goal is not to create Fridays as off days.

“The 100–80–100 model is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about giving people the time that works best for them. Some companies may choose the traditional four-day week. Others may find that their employees prefer to work five shorter days to facilitate various challenges and commitments. In industries where client interface is critical, it may not be possible for everyone to be off on the same day. Rosters and shift work might need to be considered. The variations are numerous.”