Is A Six-Hour Work Day Better For Productivity? UK Bosses Think So

A six-hour work day may be coming soon in the U.K. Apparently, bosses in the country believe that cutting down employees' hours may be a boon for business.

Telegraph reported that six out of 10 bosses agree with the notion that a six-hour work day would be beneficial for their businesses. When asked whether they would consider implementing the proposal, 36 percent answered "Yes, possibly" while 26 percent said "Yes, definitely."

25 percent of the respondents revealed that they probably will not implement the six-hour work day. 14 percent flat out dashed the possibility.

The survey was commissioned by Crown Workplace Relocations, an office space planner. Bosses in major cities, where employees are most likely to have longer commutes and poor work-life balances, supported the six-hour work day.

67 percent of managers in Birmingham, 70 percent in London and Cardiff as well as 88 percent of respondents from Glasgow supported the lesser work hours. Four out of 10 bosses believed that their staff would still be productive with the six-hour work day.

The U.K. bosses were also in favor of the shorter work day because they understood that more leisure time would benefit their employees. A better work-life balance would improve workers' mental and physical well-being, strengthen their personal relationships, boost creativity as well as reduce absences.

Some businesses in Sweden have already started trying out the six-hour work day. This comes with the belief that lesser hours would mean more focus and less procrastination for the employees.

"The introduction of a six-hour working day has already been implemented by some employers in Britain with many reporting positive results -- improved employee focus and productivity" Barry Koolen, regional managing director at Crown Workplace Relocations, said, via Beta News. "Historically, the British eight-hour working day was created to encourage a work-life balance and these findings suggest we may soon see a new cultural shift towards a six-hour working day."

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