The Surprising Benefit (For My Coworkers) Of The 4-Day Work Week

Author carlota

March 8th 4:31 PM

Young professional woman singing loudly enough to annoy a colleague. A good argument for the 4-day work week.

People keep talking about the four-day work week. Personally, I’m cool with the five days. I love my radio job. It’s my home away from home. Except at this home, someone else cleans the bathroom. But for other people who don’t love their jobs (or hate cleaning as much as I do), it’s probably a good idea.

Because, is it just me, or have you noticed that this country is in a bad mood lately (and by lately, I mean the last decade). I mean, we are pent up, grumpy and in desperate need to get lai… Um, I mean a good meditation session. What is it? It could be our diet. According to psychologytoday.com, bad gut health due to processed foods make Americans more prone to “picking a fight than a flower.” Literally making us, among other things, psychotic. Or Is it politics? Dude let’s not even go there. Not only does it put me in a bad mood, but it makes me want to to smack someone’s mama, or at least kick them in the bad gut health.

Or could it be we work too much in this country? Ding, Ding, Ding. We have a winner! Sure, the other factors play a role, but most Americans slave away the week. Five to six days a week, eight to 12 hours a day, or more! And it shows. We are at each other’s throats for the most benign things. We are overly sensitive about everything. I don’t care who you are, or who you voted for, you’re pissed about something.

So, do we need to eat more kale? NO. Turn off the overly-produced “News?” Couldn’t hurt! Or maybe we just need a four-day work-week? The answer is, YES!

Why We Need A 4-Day Work Week

Autonomy.work recently did a study in U.K. (why do Europeans always get the fun stuff? Siestas, 3-month long vacations and naked people everywhere… ok, maybe they can keep that). For the study, 61 U.K. companies structured their business model based on a four-day work week. For six months, they kept the model going for 2,900 workers. Did it work? You bet your lil tushy it did.

According to abcnews.go.com, 89% percent of the companies that participated kept the four-day work week structure. They found people were more efficient and happier in the office and at home. And the company had a lower turnover rate. And the best part? The workers only worked 32 hours and still received 100% of their pay.

This has me thinking, could I accomplish what I need to do in a shorter time? What would a four-day week look like for me at the station? A four-day week “Carlota” can be proud of?

Carlota’s 4-Day Work Week: A Hypothetical Study

Day 1 – It’s no secret, I like my music loud. Whether it’s the studio, in my headphones or just in my head, I love it when music shakes the walls. So, it only makes sense that I would sing with as much volume as I can muster. However, belting out Slipknot’s “People Equal S—” in the hallways at the workplace may not be music to everyone’s ears. Especially our resident Bible-thumper, Mary Campbell, from the sales office. Off to HR I go.

Day 2 – One of the biggest infractions you can make in the workplace is cooking fish in the community microwave. But I like to double down on that and cook the salmon I stole from the afternoon DJ from the Top-40 station. Its ok though, he didn’t notice. He was too busy following Taylor Swift’s every move. No HR today.

Day 3 – I don’t know what’s happening in the world today. I know you can’t make a joke about someone’s sexuality, but now you can’t even support it? Someone complained because I applauded Khloe Kardashian for coming out as Auto Sexual. I commended her for being real and being her true self. I even said I understood because I love cars too and wouldn’t kick a 63 Split Window Corvette out of the garage for eating crackers. People need to chill. Off to HR I go.

Day 4 – Is oversharing at work really a bad thing? I learned recently, yes. We were in a team meeting and, apparently, I said the worst thing you can say. Right at the end of the meeting I blurted out “um, I have one more question.” The stank eye was real. But I wanted to know if we were having tequila at our upcoming Tacos and Tamales event. Because I went on a tequila rager the other night. And found myself in the middle of a dumpster with no clothes, cuddling an old couch cushion that smelled like Mike Tyson’s armpit (don’t ask). Oh, I guess I’m oversharing again.

Study Findings

Looks like a four-day work week for me is a good idea after all. At least for my co-workers. And HR.

Carlota is the music director and midday on-air personality for KXTE Las Vegas. She has been with the station since July of 2023. Carlota has been in the Las Vegas market since 1998, First with KXTE, 92.3 KOMP for 18 years, and now back with KXTE. She is known mostly for her on air work but also writes about Las Vegas happenings and where to find the best tequila in Sin City.

9 Office Behaviors You Should Definitely Skip

In our busy lives, it often feels like we spend more time in the office than at home. Work can get crazy, and sometimes, our manners take a back seat. Workplace etiquette is all about how we act and interact at work, from how we dress to how we chat with our colleagues or handle shared spaces. With evolving ideas about work and shifting societal norms, office etiquette can sometimes be confusing. Regardless of cultural variations, maintaining basic office etiquette is a way to show respect for the people we work with and the job we do together.

Good Office Etiquette

Good office etiquette covers a lot, especially given the changes in how we work in recent years, including remote setups and virtual communication. Going the extra mile sometimes means arriving a bit early, depending on your job and office culture. It’s a signal to your boss that you’re a go-getter.

Many offices are shared spaces, so cleaning up after yourself is a big deal. It helps you get along with your colleagues. Additionally, looking sharp and presentable is important unless you’re in a super relaxed work setting that embraces flip-flops and t-shirts. This etiquette applies to everything, from weekly meetings with the boss to work parties.

It’s also wise to be ready to share your thoughts when your boss asks for input in meetings. It’s a chance to showcase your engagement and professionalism, contributing to productive discussions and decision-making.

While office etiquette training typically covers professional boundaries related to issues like gender, religion, and sexuality, it’s essential to respect your colleagues’ time and personal space.

Just as there’s good workplace etiquette, there are some things you should avoid. Mastering office etiquette might not be rocket science, but it’s the key to a pleasant and productive work environment. It’s about showing respect for your fellow workers and understanding the shared spaces where you all spend so much time.

To help you avoid these potential pitfalls, we’ve compiled a list of office behaviors you should avoid.

Oversharing Too Much Personal Information
At the office, it’s usually best to leave your personal problems at the door. Sharing too much about your personal life can make your coworkers uncomfortable, and it might affect your professional image. We all have our ups and downs, but oversharing personal issues, like that big breakup or crazy weekend, can make your coworkers feel a bit awkward. Imagine you’re in the middle of a team meeting discussing a project, and someone suddenly launches into the intricacies of their dating life. But, when it’s an emergency, like someone in the family falling sick or a personal health issue, don’t hesitate to let the right people know.

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Unspoken Office Food Rules
In the realm of office etiquette, there are some unspoken rules regarding food. First, it’s just common sense not to talk with your mouth full. Secondly, it’s a clear no-no to help yourself to someone else’s food from the office fridge. Lastly, be mindful of what you heat in the microwave. Strong-smelling dishes like onion and anchovy pizza can be a bit overwhelming for everyone else. Don’t forget about popcorn in the microwave. Burnt popcorn smell isn’t pleasant for anyone. So, keep an eye on it while it’s popping.

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Personal Grooming
While it’s great to stay fresh and clean at work, you’d typically want to steer clear of doing your personal grooming stuff in the office. That means no nail clipping, nail polishing, nose-picking, or any other grooming rituals that might make your coworkers cringe. Save that stuff for your personal time.

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Unnecessary Noise
In a cramped office with thin walls and no private doors to shut, you should be considerate of the shared space. It’s a good idea to keep personal calls and loud chit-chat to a minimum, especially in open workspaces. Nobody wants their concentration derailed, right? And speaking of noise, save the rock concert-level music and the crazy loud social media videos for after hours.

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Messy Workspace
Maintaining a tidy workspace is a must. You wouldn’t want to become known as the person with the messy cubicle that has an odd odor, right? Whether you have a desk all to yourself or not, keeping it clean and organized can do wonders for your daily productivity and overall work experience.

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Poor Hygiene
Showing up to work with poor hygiene is a no-go. For starters, it’s all about keeping things professional and respecting your colleagues. Nobody wants to sit next to a coworker with funky smells, right? Feeling fresh and clean can boost your mood and your work game. If you ever need a quick hygiene fix, no shame in stepping away to use some deodorant or give your teeth a brush in the bathroom.

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Personal Space & Boundaries
Whether you’re in an open office or a cubicle doesn’t matter. Respecting personal space is a must. Being considerate of your colleagues’ belongings and giving them room to breathe is key. It ensures a productive and respectful office atmosphere where everyone can focus without feeling crowded or uncomfortable.

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Overdoing It With Foul Language
While a slip of a swear word might happen to the best of us in the office, you can’t predict what language might rub a coworker or boss the wrong way. To keep the peace, it’s a good plan to steer clear of strong language in your office chats and messages. And when it comes to those work emails, stick to pro-speak. It’s just safer and smoother that way.

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Leaving It How You Found It
Leave things as you found them. For instance, if you happen to use up the last sheet of copy paper, it’s a common courtesy to make sure it gets replaced. This small act of consideration contributes to a cooperative atmosphere and ensures that the office operates seamlessly. It’s a simple yet effective way to demonstrate respect for your colleagues and the workplace as a whole.

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