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Making a 4 Day Work Week Work for You

Career Resources

Summary !

All too often, working longer hours without additional compensation or recognition is expected by companies. As a result, productivity, morale, and the ability to achieve important goals all suffer. !Treehouse believes that people are the most valuable part of its company. Benefits like the 4 Day Work Week are vital to the long-term success of its people and the company as a whole.

Employees work regular hours Monday through Thursday for a total of 32 hours per week; Treehouse offices are closed on Fridays

Employees receive full salaries and benefits, all regular holidays off, and a break between Christmas and New Year’s Day

Internal chat boards are used to share company news on initiatives, and an in-house project management board records and displays work progress - Email use has been greatly reduced

It works! Founded in 2011, Treehouse employs over 75 employees with annual revenues over $10M and over 70,000 customers.

How It Works

In 2011, Treehouse co-founderRyan Carson established the

4 Day Work Week as a permanent benefit for all employees.

“We are too connected to work, and too connected to social media.

I think we would all benefit [from a 4 day work week]...

Ryan Carson @ryancarson

“There's a core set of people in my life that I care about.

If I do not connect with them, [but] I connect with my Twitter followers…

What the f*** am I doing?”

Ryan Carson @ryancarson

Companies and individuals alike can be more productive and enjoy

greater work/life balance by implementing a 4 Day Work Week.

Work-Life Balance: encourage employees to embrace personal time, do non-work on their free day

Focused Work and Schedule: less work time compels employees to focus, achieve more

Improved Morale: more time off

Attractive Benefit: makes recruiting easier, more competitive

Benefits of the 4 Day Work Week

Shorter Schedules: weeks have 4 working days instead of 5

Limited Time to Complete Work: it may lead to stress

Support Challenges: will customers expect/demand 24/7 support? how will you meet/address it?

External Doubts: some people - including potential investors - may not understand or respect the 4 Day Work Week

Challenges of the 4 Day Work Week

Consider how you can cut back on your working time:focus more on projects, less on meetings and email

Show results to decision makers to prove it works

Work remotely to increase time, reduce commute and expenses

Consider time-shifting to cover other days (ex: Tuesday-Friday)

It takes discipline, encourage employees to stick to it

Lead by example: don't send requests to other employees on Friday or over the weekend

How Can It Work for You?

Whether you’re working fora company or for yourself,

the 4 Day Work Week can be anexcellent way to achieve

a better work/life balance.

Good luck from Treehouse!

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