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Episode
154
Interview
Web News

The 4 Day Work Week feat. Derek Duncan

Recorded:
July 13, 2021
Released:
July 28, 2021
Episode Number:
154

In this episode Matt and Mike sit down with Derek Duncan to discuss his company's recent move to a 4 day work week. After the interview, the duo sit down to discuss the matter further, putting their own ideas and opinions together with Derek's first-hand insight. The 4 day work week has been a topic of much discussion lately, giving workers 3 days off to get a proper rest after a hard week's work. Some argue that it is not possible to get 5 days of productivity while others maintain that it is possible, as the extra day off makes the workers more productive all week.

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Show Notes

What is HTML All The Things

HTML All The Things is a web development podcast and discord community which was started by Matt and Mike, developers based in Ontario, Canada.

The podcast speaks to web development topics as well as running a small business, self-employment and time management. You can join them for both their successes and their struggles as they try to manage expanding their Web Development business without stretching themselves too thin.

What's This One About?

In this episode Matt and Mike sit down with Derek Duncan to discuss his company's recent move to a 4 day work week. After the interview, the duo sit down to discuss the matter further, putting their own ideas and opinions together with Derek's first-hand insight. The 4 day work week has been a topic of much discussion lately, giving workers 3 days off to get a proper rest after a hard week's work. Some argue that it is not possible to get 5 days of productivity while others maintain that it is possible, as the extra day off makes the workers more productive all week.

Guest Introduction

Derek Duncan joins us on the podcast today to give his insight on how the company that he co-founded, Instinct Science, transitioned to a 4-day workweek.

Apply for a Job at Instinct Science

Show Notes

Derek Duncan

3:44 - Why did your company decide to go to a 4-day work week?
7:20 - How did your current employees react to the decision?
9:58 - How do you cover periods of time when most people are gone?
16:44 - Was there an adjustment period, if so, how long and how difficult?
21:00 - How intense is a normal workday
25:10 - Did productivity go up or down?
27:55 - How has it affected hiring for you? (easier to hire a better developer?)
30:25 - Will the excitement of 4 days wear off?
34:50 - Did you keep salaries the same or were they reduced? (feel free to cross this one out if you don't feel comfortable answering)

Post interview

43:50 - Matt's take on work schedules
55:30 - Increased productivity
58:20 - A more equal workplace
1:02:00 - Better employee engagement
1:05:00 - Matt's take on the 4 day workweek
1:11:00 - Async work
1:21:40 - Mike's take on the 4 day workweek

Key Takeaways

  • Your leadership needs to make adjustments and be able to adapt for the 4 day work week to be successful.
  • It's possible to cut down a day and increase productivity by allowing employees to recover will lead to more deep work hours.

Resources

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Instagram (@htmlallthethings)
Twitter (@htmleverything)
TikTok (Html All The Things)