Future of Work Roundup: August 12

This week’s Future of Work Roundup looks at the future of four-day work weeks, plus why women have been leading the charge during the Great Resignation (but not in a cool Girl Boss kind of way.)

The world’s biggest four-day work experiment has, so far, been a chef’s kiss.

Anyone recall the world’s biggest four-day work trial that started a few months ago? As it turns out, it’s going very well.

Do tell!

• “Life changing.” “I can really enjoy my weekend now.” “Improved my mental health.” “Less ‘Sunday scaries’.” “Phenomenal.” These are just a few statements people gave to how things are going, so one could argue that it’s been a success.
• But what glitters isn’t always gold, as there were some bumps in the beginning. One manager said that things were “genuinely chaotic” the first two-weeks as folks navigated work boundaries and workloads – though, overtime, teams found their stride.

The bottom line: The pandemic led thousands of workers to burnout and the realization that there is more to life than work. This experiment shows that we can be productive, keep businesses profitable and have a better quality of life outside of the office.

Source: CNN

Women aren’t staying in miserable workplaces.

Speaking of burnout – women, especially, were really feeling it. And they still are, as stats show they are quitting in far greater numbers than their male counterparts.

What kind of numbers are we talking about here?

• In 2021, 48 million people quit their jobs in what has become known as the Great Resignation – and it’s continued into 2022, despite talks of recession and layoffs across industries. 
• But research shows that the quit rate for women was over 1% higher than that of men, and much greater when looking at industries – like STEM – where women are already underrepresented. 
• It also shows that even before the pandemic, 40% of women in STEM were quitting about five years into their careers, compared to 23% of men. Reasons cited were lack of communication, opportunities for promotion, and support from managers. Sad.

The bottom line: We need women in the workplace, so companies have to step up with better communication, support, equitable pay, and flexibility in their pursuit of work/life balance.

Source: ReWorked