Working less for the same salary seems like a pipe dream for many professionals, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, the possibility of a 4-day workweek in California is something that’s been a topic of discussion for quite some time. 

The concept is actively being tested in many companies of all sizes, both internationally and right here in the United States. In fact, the 4-day workweek in California may become a reality soon with the introduction of a bill by Rep. Mark Takano. 

Here’s what you need to know.

The Backstory of the 4-Day Workweek in California 

After publishing its landmark six-month trial in 2022, 4 Day Week Global is continuing to advocate for a shorter week. Their study was highly successful, with 97% of participants wanting to continue and quantifiable improvements in productivity, work-life balance, and overall performance. 

While this all sounds pretty appealing, the success of this model depends on a company’s ability to be more efficient with their work to achieve the same results in less time. 

And, since they provide the space, tools, and environment that support productive, focused work, coworking spaces may actually be a key to help unlock this new approach to work.

Are 4-Day Workweeks Really a Good Idea?

Besides the obvious benefit to employees—less time at work and more time for personal endeavors—shorter workweeks have a myriad of benefits to both employees and employers: 

• Increased productivity: In an effort to complete work in a shorter time, companies need to optimize productivity by streamlining processes and workflows. 
• Reduced stress and anxiety: Additional time off for leisure and self-care can help support employee mental health.
• Stronger employee attraction and retention: Because this schedule is desirable to employees, employers may find it easier to recruit and retain talent. 

Many companies and professionals are currently experiencing these benefits today. Multiple European countries such as the UK, Belgium, Scotland, Iceland, and Spain have all implemented or trialed 4-day workweeks.

These benefits are contingent on the correct implementation of a 4-day workweek model that follows the 100-80-100 principle (100% salary, 80% time, and 100% of the same responsibilities). 

Sound impossible without burning out your employees? It doesn’t have to be. 

In order to do the same work in less time, efficiency and productivity need to be optimized. It takes a deliberate effort on management’s part to change how things are done to accommodate the new schedule. 

Without this deliberate effort, employees will have to just “work faster” to get things done, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and poor quality work. 

Coworking Solutions for the 4-Day Workweek in California

While making the 4-day workweek in Califonia a legal reality is a ways off, managers and leaders can choose to implement this option for their employees at any time. 

And with specific attention to optimizing productivity and efficiency, a condensed work schedule may be a win-win. 

One key solution for leaders to consider is coworking spaces. Here are six reasons they can be a pillar to implementing a 4-day workweek schedule. 

1. Fewer Distractions

Between your personal errands and chores to family members poking in, working from home can be distracting. Coworking spaces are designed specifically for productivity and focus, offering a calmer, distraction-free environment. 

This is especially true when utilizing private offices in a coworking space. Dedicated just to you and your team, it’s a distraction-free environment that can help employees optimize productivity during a shorter workweek. 

2. In-Person Collaboration

Effective communication can be challenging for remote teams where employees work from home, both because of technical difficulties or the lack of in-person nuance. 

A coworking space can bring your team together for in-person collaboration. This allows them to hash things out quickly and effectively, streamlining operations as they go. 

One of the best options for this in a coworking space is to make use of a bookable meeting room or event space. They’re fully equipped with the A/V equipment and amenities you need for a productive team meeting. 

3. Tools and Resources

Not having the right tools, equipment, or resources can be a big time-waster for employees. However, bringing teams together in a coworking space negates this. Amenities and services like printing, photocopying, or A/V support are available and on-site staff are available to support you however needed. 

Further, management can use a coworking space as their centralized hub for tools and resources, so employees always have access to exactly what they need. 

4. Spatial Diversity

Coworking spaces are not your run-of-the-mill office space with cubicles, desks, and chairs. While some of that exists and is necessary, there’s so much more to it. Spatial diversity means people can work in different environments throughout the day, depending on what suits their needs. 

At Colab Space, for example, we have: 

• Common areas and lounges
• Desks and tables
• Phone booths
• Shared kitchen area
• Outdoor space

Whether you work best sitting on a couch or catching some rays, there are options for you to find the most productive one at a coworking space. 

5. Reduced Commute Time

Depending on how your team is set up, some hybrid employees who live in more rural areas face long commute times to the company headquarters. 

By utilizing a local coworking space as part of your 4-day workweek schedule, you can cut down on commuting time for some team members. 

6. Change of Scenery

The last thing that can really boost productivity is a change of scenery. Employees who are struggling to focus and be productive in their home offices sometimes just need to get out. And that’s exactly what a coworking space can provide—a new environment that helps boost productivity and focus. 

The 4-day workweek in California is no longer a pipe dream—it’s a viable option currently being explored by many countries around the world. 

But to realize all its many benefits, companies need to be intentional about maximizing efficiency and productivity. Coworking spaces are designed with those two things in mind and offer a number of benefits that can help make a shorter week possible. 

If you’re looking for a workspace where you and your team can connect, collaborate, and build bonds, book a tour of The Colab Space today.