Summarised by Centrist
Magyar Telekom, the Hungarian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, embarked on a nearly 2-year trial of the 4-day work week, involving 300 employees, spanning various departments. But what started with a bang, ended with a whimper and the company will be returning to a 5-day work week in March 2024.
Chief People Officer Zsuzsanna Friedl lauded the initial results, citing improved work-life balance and enhanced productivity. Yet, as the trial expanded, cracks emerged. Not all employees adapted well to the added hours during the work week as personal obligations made a longer day impractical. Also, scheduling conflicts disrupted collaborative efforts across departments.
The conclusion: Magyar Telekom’s experience doesn’t spell the end for alternative work structures, but for larger corporations, the challenge of implementing such reforms may be tough. The 4-day work week’s potential may still be utilised particularly in smaller firms or those with flexible work arrangements.
