A young Australian worker has revealed how he managed to manage a four-day week in three different jobs without taking a pay cut — and the progressive new trend is slowly spreading around the world, with adopters praising the boost in employee morale and productivity.
Some workers have waited until it was introduced to enjoy the benefit, but Demi Kosouris defied convention at age 23 and has negotiated it for herself at every new job since.
The 29-year-old Yahoo Finance There are plenty of industries out there that are flexible, all you have to do is ask.
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She was just 23 when she asked this question after an interview for a marketing manager position.
“When I knew they liked me, I just said to them, 'I'm really good and I'm really productive, so can I work four days a week instead of five?' And he just said, 'Sure,'” she said.
The positive results on her first try gave her the confidence to ask the same question in subsequent workplaces.
The marketing manager admitted that he wasn't 100% committed to the role and had only been “brave” to suggest a four-day week.
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Mr. Kossoris said: Yahoo Finance She didn't mind being turned down, so she wanted to see what she could negotiate.
If things had been tougher, if she'd needed the work or if she'd really loved the role, she says she wouldn't have taken the chance.
But she now makes six figures, on the same pay as a marketing manager working five days a week.
Kossoris said he remains open-minded and wouldn't mind working “for fun” on his Friday off.
If she's in the mood, she'll happily respond to work messages, but if not, she's busy doing the administrative work of life or planning a quick trip.
How can I negotiate a four-day work week?
Here are the basic steps Kosoris took to implement the four-day work week:
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See how open you are to flexibility
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Make sure the other person likes you
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Flexible response to demand
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Have proof of productivity and a plan to maintain it
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Half-day is negotiable
She goes into a few more finer points, with some caveats to consider.
If your workplace seems rigid and lacks flexibility, it may not be worth asking.
If so, please state your case.
“I always make sure they like me and give them the option by saying, 'If you want me to work more, I'm happy to do that,'” she said.
Kossoris said it's important to give them time to consider whether this is working and not give them an ultimatum: “These are my terms and that's it.”
The other is building trust, which she has an easy track record to prove.
“I say, 'I've done this in other jobs…I'm really productive,'” she said. Yahoo Finance.
“I don't think I should be penalized for being productive.”
But how do you negotiate if you’re already in a position?
The marketing manager said it was the same process.
She told me to go to my boss with evidence of my productivity and be prepared to explain how I would maintain that level under the new system.
“You can tell them, 'What I really value and what will make me a better worker is being able to have Friday afternoons off,'” she said.
“And that could be part of the negotiations in the six-month or 12-month review… I think you'd be surprised.”
She warned against taking this action in two scenarios: if you're desperate for the role, or if you're already in jeopardy.
'Joy and purpose': The surprising benefits of a four-day work week
The extra day off has given Kossoris more space in his life and also helps him tackle difficult tasks after work.
She admitted that she was “miserable” during the five-day shift and ended up “living for the weekend”, but having Fridays off changed everything.
“I'm using it to explore other skill sets,” she said.
“It also gives you a sense of purpose outside of work.
“Many people suffer from a lack of purpose and feel miserable because of it.
“You'll be amazed at the happiness, joy and energy you'll get from working four days a week.”
4 Day Week Global, an organisation set up to explore and promote new workplace policies, conducted a six-month pilot with 26 organisations across Australia in 2022.
After the experiment was completed, organizers found that 95 percent of companies supported the compressed schedule, reporting “great satisfaction” with their business's productivity, performance, and ability to engage employees.
Businesses saw a 44 percent drop in absenteeism and a 9 percent drop in employee turnover.
Employees also support the changes, with 96 percent wanting them to continue after the trial.
'Difficult': A four-day work week doesn't work for everyone
Kossoris acknowledges that a four-day week isn't suitable for many jobs.
Although the policy has been lauded for its benefits, it also has pitfalls.
Amantha Ingber made history in Australia when her management consulting firm, Inventium, was the first to introduce it in Australia.
It's been a big learning process ever since, she said.
Ingber said this would require a “major shift in mindset, culture and operations” and could create a level of transparency, accountability and adaptability that would be “uncomfortable” and “challenging” for everyone.
She acknowledged that as the situation has been so tough, neither she nor her leadership team have had a Friday off all year.
“I like the concept of a four-day week and would like to see the policy reinstated in a heartbeat, but it's not all smooth sailing and it's certainly not a panacea for improving working conditions,” she said. Australian Financial Review.
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