My company has hired an external consultant to help decide what the 'workplace of the future' looks like for us. Technically we've always had 'flexible work hours' but in practice 95% of the company still works 8-4 or 9-5.
They picked a few of us to sit with the consultants and chat about what we're looking for. The pre-reading material gave examples of company models we could point towards. Uniliver is doing 4-day work weeks (80% hours for 100% pay), another company referenced is doing 3-days in office 2 at home, and another model they showed us has gone 'remote by default' so every employee works from home unless they need to come in for meetings.
There are some other questions they're digging into but that first model intrigues me. I've read that some companies have had success with productivity going to condensed weeks. People screw around less, work happier and more engaged, take fewer sick days, etc. Obviously there are hurdles with customer-facing roles but I think there are solutions.
Seems too good to be true though so I won't hold my breath
I don't think everyone is ready to let go of the 9-5/40 hour week yet (a few of our older leaders are still stunned productivity went
up measurably in the pandemic with worker at home). I was chatting to my dad and he instantly scoffed. I just said "are you absolutely, 100% certain that the traditional 5 day 40 hour work week with butts in seats at an office is the
panicle of workplace productivity?" He had no good answer, and neither do I, but I'd love to give some different models a go.