March 1, 2021 was the primary day my legislation agency started the 4 day work week venture. In my previous blog, I defined the the reason why we selected this venture and the quite a few benefits it supplies for all concerned.
However earlier than implementing the venture, we needed to assume lengthy and exhausting about our insurance policies to verify this works. This took quite a lot of workforce and particular person effort and analysis, however the measures and insurance policies turned very effectively thought out. I want to share them for anybody considering of doing a 4 day week venture for their very own legislation companies or different corporations.
With out additional ado, right here we go:
First and Foremost, a Momentary 3 Month Pilot Challenge
I’d by no means leap into one thing so drastic and dangerous completely. In spite of everything we’re one of many first legislation companies for our dimension in Canada to be implementing this so I would like this to be successful. Crucial factor I made certain was managing expectations of attorneys and workers:
- There’s a actual likelihood we might revert to five working days every week after 3 months;
- We’re capturing for taking on 80% of Wednesdays off, not all of them. In different phrases, if now we have to work on Wednesdays as a result of one thing pressing comes up, then so be it.
The bottom line is to have the freedom to take the time off, not that it’s necessary to take action.
Choosing Which Day of the Week to Take off
This was very tough to determine and we struggled with it. We have been torn between Wednesdays and Fridays:
- Naturally most individuals want to have Fridays off as a result of it means lengthy weekends each weekend. However the issue I sensed was that an excessive amount of work and unanswered emails would pile as much as the purpose that the workers and attorneys could be too wired come Monday. That may defeat the aim which is permitting workers a time off to unplug and chill out.
- Wednesdays present a pleasant mid-week break, and folks wouldn’t be as wired as a result of they might be again to work on Thursdays.
We determined to check out Wednesdays for one month after which perhaps attempt Fridays the following month to see what works higher.
Necessary: we’re conserving our telephones and workplaces open 5 days every week as defined under.
Do We Do Make Up Days if We have now to Work on a Day Off?
I felt that if somebody has to come back to work on a Wednesday due to an pressing matter, then they shouldn’t be asking for make up day off. In spite of everything, this can be a favour or a privilege, not an obligation. Making up for having to work on a Wednesday would create an excessive amount of chaos and disorganization, and we determined in opposition to it.
What About Pressing Issues on Wednesdays?
We had huge debates on whether or not we must always arrange auto replies telling everybody we’re not round or not. On the finish I made a decision in opposition to it. As a substitute I requested the assistants to test the lawyer’s emails at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays for a couple of minutes and produce up any pressing points to the lawyer’s consideration. This fashion shoppers wouldn’t freak out considering we’re not round in any respect on Wednesdays. Since checking the lawyer’s emails wouldn’t take quite a lot of minutes, the assistants don’t thoughts doing this.
What are the Work Hours for a 4 Day Work Week?
I requested our workers so as to add 1 hour to their shifts – so from 8 a.m. to five p.m., 8:30 a.m. to five:30 p.m. or 9 to six p.m. Which means that they might add 4 hours every week to their 4 days and the agency would take in the remaining 4 hours. This fashion, our backside line wouldn’t be hit as exhausting and customarily all workers have been extraordinarily receptive and happy with this association.
Having mentioned the above, I listened to a Podcast by Quinn Ross from the Ross Firm, an Ontario agency near our dimension which has carried out the 4 day week work. He said that they began with 10 hours, 4 days and that didn’t work. They’re now doing the traditional 8 hours a day, 4 days every week. He stories that profitability and progress haven’t been negatively impacted in any respect – in actual fact, they’re on an upward swing.
So I’ll see how issues go for our agency.
The Cool Factor About Our New Workplace Hours
Given that everybody can be working 9 hours, 4 days every week, now we have really been capable of broaden our workplace hours from 8 a.m. to six p.m. as a substitute of the traditional 9 to five. It is because some workers will work from 8 to five and a few from 10 to six, so we are able to really broaden our service hours as a substitute of decreasing them. As defined under, on the date our receptionist is off, one other workers members works and as a substitute takes a unique time off.
This implies all of us aside from one individual take Wednesdays off.
What About Serving Our Shoppers on the Day Off?
It is vitally essential to level out one thing essential right here: we’re not closing down our agency on Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, our receptionist works and solutions the telephones (and as a substitute takes one other time off). Pressing issues can be delivered to the eye of the lawyer and assistant, and enterprise so far as shoppers go will run as ordinary. All we’re doing is placing in our retainer agreements that we’ll reply to pressing issues solely on Wednesdays, not that we’re closed on Wednesdays.
Is Everybody at YLaw Blissful A couple of 4 Day Work Week?
Surprisingly, though most of us are thrilled, some aren’t. A few of our attorneys don’t know the way to implement this given the character of household legislation by which our calendars aren’t all the time beneath our management. We might must cope with pressing issues, a number of issues or work 7 days every week to meet up with trial preparation. So understandably a number of the attorneys are anxious about really with the ability to take Wednesdays off.
My advise has been: you may have the choice of taking of a day in week, you shouldn’t have to. This I discover relieves the stress of getting to alter life round to implement 4 work days every week. This solely says we’re versatile do you have to resolve to take action.
As for employees, they’re all thrilled. Legal professionals can have versatile schedules and take day off. Employees must be at work on inflexible shifts. With the ability to attend their appointments, be with their household and unplug permits them freedom and autonomy and in some ways helps them with psychological and bodily wellness.
I’ll be sure you report again after one month to see the place we’re, and whether or not we have to change something.
Till then my pals, keep bodily and mentally effectively.
Written by Leena Yousefi.
To learn concerning the purpose why we carried out our 4 day weeks, click here.
