Luke O’Neill has suggested bosses should introduce a four day working week for their staff if they want to boost productivity. 

The idea of a four day week has gained in popularity in recent years, with advocates arguing it would mean a much improved quality of life for staff. 

However, bosses remain sceptical about the impact it would have on their company’s profits. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Professor Luke O’Neill explained why those fears seem to be misplaced, citing data from a recent study into the phenomenon. 

“What’s good about this study is it’s in a journal called Nature of Human Behaviour - a very reliable journal,” he explained. 

“So, they’re concluding a four day week is much better for everybody; both the employee and, strangely, the employer. 

“The fear is you’d be less productive and so on, but this detailed study supports that we should all have a four day week.” 

A young waiter takes an order from a couple at a restaurant. Picture by: Andriy Popov / Alamy Stock Photo.

Four day week

The study used data from 140 companies, which were based in the US, Ireland, Australia and Britain.

Over a six month period, some 3,000 workers were studied and their productivity was carefully monitored. 

“They all moved to a four day week, very importantly their wages weren’t cut… and then they studied these people for six months,” Professor O’Neill said.  

“Productivity wasn’t affected - in fact, it went up in some of these companies. 

“Revenue went up - and that was a surprise. 

“So, all your workers that are now working four days instead of five, you don’t increase the number of employees. 

“Yet productivity and revenue levels went up - and then of course, employees were happier.” 

A staff member working in a supermarket. Picture by: Gordon Scammell / Alamy Stock Photo

Professor O’Neill continued that the majority of workers reported less stress and burnout, as well as greater loyalty and affection towards their employers.

“They had more freedom in their lives and that gave them a sense of empowerment,” he said. 

“So, overall, the employees were all very happy.” 

Professor O’Neill added that the bottom line is “this seems to be working”, noting that a five day week is still a novelty in historical terms. 

“Remember, when we went to 40 hour week, that was in the 1930s,” he said. 

“Before that, you did a six day week; so, it’s a bit arbitrary that you go from six to five anyway. 

“Now the suggestion is to go from five to four.”

 

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Main image: Luke O'Neill. Picture by: Newstalk.