Floating the idea of a 4-day week

It was a debate held on Estate Agent Today that provoked multiple comments – should the property industry trial a four-day week? The idea was raised among agents, property managers, auctioneers and owners after the largest pilot scheme of a four-day working week anywhere in the world reached the two-month mark.

The six-month pilot, happening here in the UK, is the brainchild of not-for-profit 4 Day Week Global, think tank Autonomy and the 4 Day Week UK Campaign, in collaboration with Cambridge University, Oxford University and Boston College.

Workers will receive 100% of their pay for 80% of their usual time, with researchers monitoring productivity levels, gender equality, the environment and worker wellbeing to conclusively prove if a four-day working week is professionally possible and whether there are tangible benefits.

While past surveys based on sentiment alone have found people to be in favour of four-day working weeks, the property industry has long argued that the nature of the beast – and the expectations of clients – demands long days, weekend work and shifts that fall outside of traditional office hours.

The workability of a four-day week had most property professionals flummoxed. Issues around availability, resourcing and increased pressure during the days staff were off were, unsurprisingly, raised. No one is, however, suggesting that all employees have the same extra day a week off (that’s an issue a rota is designed to tackle), while moving agents to a commission-based structure overcomes the idea that salaried staff are being paid to sit at home on the sofa.

More balanced readers commented that less stressed employees would be increasingly productive and focused when at their desks, while others noted that with other industries offering four-day weeks, the property sector may have to follow suit in order to retain staff and attract new talent.

Automation and third-party suppliers, like Viewber, make it totally possible to offer staff a four-day working week with no loss of service levels or availability. We can make sure you’re always fully resourced and Viewbers can take on any overspill on the days when you’re light on agents.

Partnering with Viewber has the following benefits:

• Pay as you go: no monthly fee or minimum order, so you only pay for the jobs you book when you need the most help
• Weekend, evening & Bank Holiday availability: book a Viewber for when your staff most want days off
• Daytime capacity: offer increased accompanied viewings and property visit availability during traditional office hours or when a rota dictates
• Complement a skeleton staff in branch: transition to a ‘branch lite’, with fewer staff resulting in less pressure on gas, electricity and physical resources

Balancing the needs of the workplace with the wellbeing of staff will only intensify as market conditions change. Find out how Viewber can help your business adapt, respond to staff requests and even introduce a four-day working week by getting in touch with our team.