‘If a worker is unhappy, a four-day week will ensure they are unhappy for four days instead of five’

Nicky Gouder on Thursday highlighted how a four-day work week could solve some workplace problems, yet companies should instead focus on maintaining employee happiness.

Mr Gouder is a Partner at advisory firm Seed and Director at digital corporate services platform Binderr. He specialises in international taxation and has vast experience in handling a wide portfolio of local and international clients operating in various industries.

“A lot is being said about the four-day work week which is a great start. However, that is all it is, a start,” he said.

A number of companies have opted to make the switch to four-day work weeks, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this has yielded mixed results, with some regretting the decision, while others have opted to incorporate it for limited periods of time.

He noted that while some issues could be solved through the initiative, companies should “strive for much more”. “People need to be happy and motivated every day of the week, irrespective of whether they work one- or seven-day weeks,” he added.

Mr Gouder explained that companies have to build a culture of “growth, transparency, and comradery between all team members”.

“If someone is unhappy at work, a four-day week will simply ensure that they are unhappy for four days instead of five,” he said, before adding that companies “need to aim higher”.