'Progressive' workplaces likely to offer 4-day work week in near future, says HR expert
A Vancouver-based human resources expert says forward-thinking workplaces in Canada are likely to jump on the four-day work week bandwagon in the coming years.
In an interview on CTV Morning Live, Debby Carreau says that calls for changing work hours are getting louder and come as companies in other countries have seen success with reducing weekly work hours.
“This one bubbled up right before the pandemic and then obviously went silent,” she said.
“But we're seeing it again, all over the world.”
Trials of a shorter work week in Iceland have been hailed as an "overwhelming success" by researchers, and saw the health and well-being of workers increase dramatically.
“Lots of large organizations are testing this concept of a four-day work week because it shows people are just productive, but they're much happier and much healthier,” Carreau said.
Last year in Japan, Microsoft experimented by closing its offices on Fridays, and productivity went up by 40 per cent, despite the fact that staff spent less time at work.
“Some of the big corporations are testing this and usually when they do, other companies follow suit,” Carreau said.
“I really think over the next couple of years we're going to start to see more progressive organizations roll this one out, I think it's actually a really good one.”
It comes at a time when workers are increasingly demanding more flexibility after having shown they can successfully work from home during the pandemic. Meanwhile, companies are eager to try and keep them on board.
Carreau says the current job market favours job seekers. With many people making career changes or leaving their jobs for positions that offer more flexibility, there are a lot of vacant positions.
“People are resigning left right and centre for so many different reasons, but what that means is we've got a real job-seekers market out there,” she said.
“There's lots of jobs available, wages are going up, employers are fighting over top talents. So, now, really is the time for job seekers to get out there and really follow their dreams."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.