A 4-Day Work Week is an idea that gained prominence during the 1970’s that had since died down, but there’s been a revival of interest in the idea lately. The strain of the Covid-19 pandemic on institutions and people along with the “invention” of the work from home option being more widely available, many countries around the world have been reimagining their relationship with work and the workplace.

Several countries around the world have implemented a 4-day work week with a lot of success and improvements on both human and environmental effects. Take New Zealand for example who implemented the 4-day work in 2018 and worker productivity jumped by 20% as there was a stark decrease in worker burnout. Microsoft in Japan tested out their 4-day work week and found a 43% increase in worker productivity and 23% reduction in electricity expenditure.

Covid-19 is the most dangerous pandemic in 100 years. Since the 1918 H1N1 virus we have seen this level of disturbance. Incidentally the 5-day work week was also implemented for the first time 100 years ago. And with the technology and productive capacity of today, I also think we need to update our relationship with work so that we can make Barbados better for Bajans.