Four Days a Week, Will It Be Effective?

The discourse of a four-day work week is getting stronger, especially in the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN). This idea was put forward with the reason of increasing worker productivity, while balancing it with personal life. The term is, work-life balance.

In the Ministry of SOEs, the scheme is implemented with a compressed work schedule system. Through this scheme, employees who have met the weekly working hours requirement of 40 hours in 4 working days can apply for 3 days off in the same week.

Will this method succeed in increasing productivity as intended? Are there other impacts if this scheme is applied to all companies or government offices? Here are the responses of several citizens.

"If it is to be applied to all state-owned companies (BUMN), a clear formulation is needed regarding the objectives to be achieved," said Municka (47), an employee at a BUMN in Central Java.

According to him, if the goal is well being at work, it is necessary to review whether the work target can be completed within four working days. Do not let the implementation exceed the working hours regulation in order to achieve the four-day working time target, thus violating the law.

"If in order to meet the target of four working days, working hours are actually increased, what will happen to employees so they can maintain their social relations?" he said.

Concerns about the workload increasing if the four-day workday policy is implemented are expressed by Gina Mardani (28), a private employee in South Tangerang, Banten. According to her, it is possible that the quantity of work and working hours will be greater and result in overtime if the policy is officially implemented.

"With four working days, do the working hours increase or decrease in a week? This is what must be seen first, the way or system of work," he said.

Gina added, currently there are still many companies that implement a hybrid work pattern (working in the office and working from home or anywhere). For workers with a work pattern from home or anywhere, a four-day work scheme can be effective because it reduces travel time from home to the office.

Aris Hwanggara (31), a Data Analyst in Jakarta, agreed with the four-day work plan. According to him, with a four-day work system, he would feel like he had more time to explore the world. In addition, workers also have the freedom to divide work and their personal lives.

"The downside is that employers may become more demanding of workers who are considered to have been given privileges (with the four-day workweek system)," he said.

He added that the four-day workday system depends on the work sector. For jobs that are not public services, this system will be easier to implement. However, for the public service sector, it will be very difficult if there are three days off in a week so that it can have an impact on services to the community.

The same thing was conveyed by Aulia Diza Rachmawatie (30), a private employee in Jakarta. Before it is truly implemented, it is better to make clear rules so as not to add working hours to the four days.

"Three days off a week can be for rest and spending time with loved ones, after meeting with colleagues in the office for four days. This is also good for mental health," he said.

In addition, he added, the four-day work scheme can save on daily office expenses, including travel costs to the office. Of course, there will be new adjustments for employees if the policy is truly implemented.