The 4 Day Work Week
Tags: podcast, productivity
Published: 2021-07-29 14:37:58

{% spotify spotify:episode:2AbXClgMdu9L9i4azC5vZh %}

## What is HTML All The Things

HTML All The Things is a [web development podcast](https://podcast.htmlallthethings.com/) and [discord community](https://discord.com/invite/jweMCx9) which was started by Matt and Mike, developers based in Ontario, Canada. 

The podcast speaks to web development topics as well as running a small business, self-employment and time management. You can join them for both their successes and their struggles as they try to manage expanding their Web Development business without stretching themselves too thin.

## What's This One About?

In this episode Matt and Mike sit down with Derek Duncan to discuss his company's recent move to a 4 day work week. After the interview, the duo sit down to discuss the matter further, putting their own ideas and opinions together with Derek's first-hand insight. The 4 day work week has been a topic of much discussion lately, giving workers 3 days off to get a proper rest after a hard week's work. Some argue that it is not possible to get 5 days of productivity while others maintain that it is possible, as the extra day off makes the workers more productive all week.


## Guest Introduction

Derek Duncan joins us on the podcast today to give his insight on how the company that he co-founded, Instinct Science, transitioned to a 4-day workweek. 

[Apply for a Job at Instinct Science](https://www.instinct.vet/instinctjobs)

## Show Notes

### Derek Duncan

3:44 - Why did your company decide to go to a 4-day work week?
7:20 - How did your current employees react to the decision?
9:58 - How do you cover periods of time when most people are gone?
16:44 - Was there an adjustment period, if so, how long and how difficult?
21:00 - How intense is a normal workday
25:10 - Did productivity go up or down?
27:55 - How has it affected hiring for you? (easier to hire a better developer?)
30:25 - Will the excitement of 4 days wear off?
34:50 - Did you keep salaries the same or were they reduced? (feel free to cross this one out if you don't feel comfortable answering)

### Post interview 

43:50 - Matt's take on work schedules
55:30 - Increased productivity 
58:20 - A more equal workplace
1:02:00 - Better employee engagement
1:05:00 - Matt's take on the 4 day workweek
1:11:00 - Async work
1:21:40 - Mike's take on the 4 day workweek 





## Key Takeaways

* Your leadership needs to make adjustments and be able to adapt for the 4 day work week to be successful.
* It's possible to cut down a day and increase productivity by allowing employees to recover will lead to more deep work hours. 

## Resources

* [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/four-day-week-pilot-iceland-b1877171.html?utm_source=reddit.com](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/four-day-week-pilot-iceland-b1877171.html?utm_source=reddit.com)
* [https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/4-day-work-week/](https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/4-day-work-week/)
* [https://www.changerecruitmentgroup.com/knowledge-centre/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-4-day-working-week](https://www.changerecruitmentgroup.com/knowledge-centre/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-4-day-working-week)
* [https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/06/four-day-workweek/619222/](https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/06/four-day-workweek/619222/)
* [https://www.thestar.com/business/opinion/2021/07/10/get-ready-for-the-four-day-work-week-an-idea-whose-time-has-come.html](https://www.thestar.com/business/opinion/2021/07/10/get-ready-for-the-four-day-work-week-an-idea-whose-time-has-come.html)
* [https://buffer.com/resources/ama-4-day-workweek/amp/?__twitter_impression=true](https://buffer.com/resources/ama-4-day-workweek/amp/?__twitter_impression=true)

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