COVID and the four-day work week

You’re starting to hear more talk about it. I actually listened to one of Andrew Yang’s podcasts last night, because I like Jean Twenge, and he was “bullish” on the idea. New York Magazine has recently mentioned it, Gizmodo has mentioned the climate possibilities associated with it, and The National Post has said that, in terms of Canada’s economy, “everyone will love it” if it can be enacted.

Back when I was first-ever blogging, I wrote about this topic a lot. I’ve gotten away from it, in part because of some things we will discuss in a second, but if you want to check out some 2014 hot takes on four-day work weeks, here’s one and here’s something I wrote for a place I almost worked in Boston as opposed to moving to Texas. #SlidingDoors

Let’s embrace the obvious first

Consistent three-day weekends are awesome for general engagement, unless you’re a savage workaholic. I had a deal at ESPN around 2010 or so where I left at 4pm Thursdays, didn’t work Fridays, didn’t work Saturdays, and came in Sunday mornings to publish some stuff for about an hour. Usually I’d come in, go to lunch somewhere near the office and watch sports, then go home with a tepid buzz. That was the best work arrangement, hours-wise, I’ve maybe ever had. Not quite a four-day work week, but close. Monday feels a lot better when you know Thursday is…