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As Canada grapples with increasing economic pressures amidst geopolitical instability, the need for innovative solutions to improve the workforce’s quality of life has never been more pronounced. A growing body of evidence suggests that adopting a four-day work week could not only alleviate employee burnout but also boost overall productivity, making it a vital consideration for the nation’s future.
The Legacy of Keynes and the Modern Work Week
In 1930, the renowned British economist John Maynard Keynes published a forward-thinking article that forecasted a dramatic increase in living standards over the ensuing century. He optimistically predicted that advancements in technology would eventually reduce the work week to just 15 hours—a notion that stands in stark contrast to today’s reality, where the average Canadian labourer works 40 hours per week, often experiencing escalating levels of stress and burnout.
Recent research from Mental Health Research Canada, based on a survey of 5,000 employed adults, reveals that nearly 39 per cent of workers report feeling burnt out—a noticeable rise from 35 per cent in 2023. This trend highlights an urgent need for change in the way Canadians approach work.
Successful Models of Reduced Work Hours
Among the pioneers of the four-day work week is Kitfox Games, a Montreal-based gaming studio. Five years ago, under the leadership of CEO Tanya Short, the company transitioned to a fully-paid four-day work week. Short, who was motivated by her experiences in the Scandinavian job market, noted that the traditional “crunch” culture, characterised by unpaid overtime, was not conducive to sustainable productivity.
“Getting consistent ‘good quality’ 40-hour weeks out of my team is extremely hard and often leads to burnout,” Short explained. She believes that the four-day model has not only improved employee satisfaction but has also enhanced the quality of work produced.
Kitfox’s experience reflects a broader trend, supported by research conducted by Juliet Schor, an economist and sociology professor at Boston College. In her recent work, *Four Days a Week*, Schor illustrates that 90 per cent of companies that trialled reduced hours opted to maintain the model post-experiment. Her findings are bolstered by the insights of Andrew Barnes, a New Zealand entrepreneur who successfully implemented a four-day work week at his company without reducing pay.
The Economic Case for Change
The implications of widespread workplace burnout are substantial, costing Canadian firms between $5,500 and $28,500 per employee annually, according to the aforementioned survey. Evidence from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimates that burnout could cost U.S. companies around $5 million each year. In light of these figures, the economic rationale for a shorter work week becomes increasingly compelling.
Schor advocates for a transition that includes a gradual shift to a 32-hour work week, with any additional hours classified as overtime. This progressive approach would allow both public and private sectors to adapt effectively over a ten-year period. The inclusion of the public sector, in collaboration with Canada’s largest unions, would serve as a model for implementation.
Despite challenges in certain sectors, such as healthcare and retail, the potential benefits of a four-day work week extend beyond individual wellbeing. By addressing burnout, firms could enhance employee retention and attract top talent, ultimately leading to a more productive economy.
A Call to Action Amidst Technological Advancements
As the world enters an era marked by rapid technological advancement, now is the ideal moment for Canada to embrace this structural change. The rise of artificial intelligence offers an opportunity to increase productivity, which could enable companies to share the resulting gains more equitably among employees rather than solely benefitting shareholders.
Schor predicts that major corporations like Google and Apple will adopt a four-day work week within the next decade, setting a new standard in the labour market. “Shortening the work week by one day is a life-changing experience,” she asserts, emphasising that this shift is not just beneficial for individuals but also for society as a whole.
Why it Matters
The adoption of a four-day work week in Canada could mark a pivotal shift in the nation’s approach to work-life balance, addressing the pressing issue of employee burnout while simultaneously enhancing productivity. By prioritising the welfare of workers and embracing innovative models of labour, Canada can lay the groundwork for a more sustainable and prosperous economic future, potentially realising Keynes’s once-optimistic vision of a world where leisure becomes a defining characteristic of human progress.
