About me – Shamayun Miah

Shamayun Miah is a management consultant in the technology sector. He has been involved in the technology sector for over twenty years, helping his clients shape new propositions, solve enterprise-wide business challenges, and implement new technology platforms. He has gained wide-ranging experience around disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data, cloud computing, automation, and robotics. He has supported clients in their journey to define new business models to take advantage of market disruption and emerging tech such as Blockchain.

Shamayun has consulted clients in the airline, banking, and energy industry. His regional experience includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India.
He has recently focused on helping clients develop new digital centres, workforce capability development, hybrid working platforms, and talent development necessary to operate in a hyper-digital environment. Shamayun Miah lives in London, United Kingdom and has three children.

Here is a Recent Blog On The Future Of Work & Four-Day Working Week

The world of work is changing, we were all asked to work from home only two years ago due to the pandemic exclusively. The argument of whether people can work remotely for the office-based job has been settled given our recent experience. We have successfully managed to run an economy via hybrid working. Since the pandemic, the need for more flexible working has been an important topic. The traditional 9-5, five-day workweek is becoming a thing of the past. A growing number of companies are implementing a four-day workweek, and studies are showing that this may be the way of the future for some organizations. So, what is a four-day workweek? A four-day workweek is simply one where employees only work four days instead of five. This can be implemented in many ways, such as switching to a 10-hour workday or having employees take Fridays off.

What are the benefits?

Those who advocate for the four-day workweek have argued that when it is implemented correctly, employee satisfaction increases and, at the same time, employee productivity.

 

Perpetual Guardian, a New Zealand based company, carried out a study of a four-day week. The study revealed that the employees working a four-day week maintained the same level of productivity, and the overall level of employee job satisfaction had increased. There was also evidence of better work-life balance, team collaboration, and increased employee loyalty. The study found that employees experienced a decrease in stress level by over 30%.

 

The four-day workweek has several benefits for both companies and employees. It can lead to lower costs for companies due to a reduction in overhead and increased employee morale. Employees are happier when they aren’t overworked, leading to higher productivity and less burnout. In general, employees will have more time for family and personal activities if their workweek is shortened, explains Shamayun.

The Government Equalities Office research on Gender Pay Gap has shown that approximately two million people in the United Kingdom are not in employment due to childcare responsibility; of this, over 80% are women. A four-day week would support many parents to return to work, and in some cases, both parents can share the childcare by having different days off during the four-day week. 

A four-day workweek can also be beneficial for companies. When employees are working fewer days, the company is using its resources more efficiently. This can lead to a decrease in overhead costs and an increase in productivity.

When employees are working fewer days, they have more time to relax and recharge. This can lead to higher morale and a decrease in stress levels. Employees may also have more time to pursue other interests or spend time with their families. This lessens attrition rates.

In addition, the benefits of a four-day workweek may extend beyond the individual employee. There is evidence to suggest that a four-day workweek can lead to a reduction in carbon emissions. Early study has shown that countries with shorter working hours have less carbon footprint. Therefore, there is some evidence that shortening to a four-day week will significantly impact the environment. Employees will need to travel less, and there will be a reduction in office space and energy consumption. 

Planning for Success

A four-day workweek is a new concept, accelerated due to the pandemic and advancements in remote working technology.

If you consider a four-day workweek, it is essential to consult with your employees and your customers. Also, be aware that implementing a four-day week can be expensive. You will need to redesign your processes, establish a support structure, and sometimes create a new operating model and ways of working. Also, employees and employers will require new technology both at home and at the office for remote working. Many employees do not have adequate WIFI at home, and companies may need to support employees here. The business change management process also needs to be thought through carefully.   

Although there are several benefits to a four-day workweek, you should consider your company’s specific product or service before deciding to go forward with it. The needs and wants of every customer are different, so there may be scenarios where a four-day workweek doesn’t make sense for your company.

If you do decide to implement a four-day workweek, you must communicate the changes clearly and thoroughly. Be patient with your employees as they get used to the new schedule. Communicate often and check in regularly, so employees don’t feel like they are in the dark about company policies, explains Shamayun Miah.

Are there any drawbacks?

A few drawbacks to consider before implementing a four-day workweek. First, employees may feel overworked if they’re expected to stay productive over the four days they work. Also, managers need to be careful about how the four-day workweek is implemented to avoid any problems with productivity or burnout. Shamayun explains that this can be done by rotating employees’ days off or staggering the workweek so that not everyone is taking their days off at the same time.

How can I get started?

If you’re interested in implementing a four-day workweek in your business, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, talk to your employees about it and get their input. Make sure they understand the benefits and are on board with the change; make sure that your new four-day week can support your business demand, your systems can manage the four-day week. Also, relook at your operating model to explore what changes are required.  

Next, make a plan for how the four-day workweek will be implemented. This should include what hours employees will work and which days they will take off; if you have a union or work council, get them involved early in the process. Finally, communicate this plan to all employees and get feedback. It is advisable to run small pilot projects in a region or division to assess the impact on the business and your employees. Share the feedback and lessons learned from this pilot across your company. 

Conclusion

Moving to a new way of working, such as a four-day working week, with full salary can be an incredible incentive to retain employees in a job market with record level vacancies. A four-day workweek can be a great way to improve morale, increase productivity, and boost profits. However, it is vital to take the time to consider all of the pros and cons of this type of schedule before making any decisions. If you consider switching to a four-day workweek or your company already has this program in place, it is essential to think about how it will affect customers and employees. A business plan should be developed that outlines what hours employees will work, which days they will take off, and any new policies that need implementing. Next time your HR department conducts an employee survey and asks what could improve the work environment, consider suggesting a four-day week! Perhaps you should raise the issue with your boss next time you speak to him; they may be in favour of it, concludes Shamayun Miah