4 Day Work Week - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

TrenchDweller · 03-26-2009, 04:16 PM

Does anyone here run or work for a company that has implemented a 4 day work week into their business model? I work for a medium size construction company that is entertaining the idea of switching over to a 4/3, 10/hr day work schedule. If anyone has experience with this type of schedule, I would greatly appreciate some insight to the pro's and con's of each if any. Thanks guys.

TD

DavidC · 03-26-2009, 04:35 PM

We tried it back in the 90's when we were building track house shells. The attraction for me was efficiency. I think we did produce more in 4 10's than we do in 5 8's. The reason we stopped was the customers want someone there every available day or they don't think their job is getting done. Now we do residential remodeling and a long weekend makes them nervous moreso.

I liked it, the guys liked it, the customers had the final say.

Good Luck
Dave

Magnettica · 03-26-2009, 04:38 PM

Haven't done or worked for a company that has but the benefits are obvious. Less time commuting back and forth to work, less wear and tear on your vehicle getting to and from work, less tolls, less gas, less aggravation and three day weekends. What's not to love about it?

stacker · 03-26-2009, 04:43 PM

i prefer to work 4 9's and a half on friday.it seems to me that there is very little production coming from the men in that 10th hour.

Murphy · 03-26-2009, 04:51 PM

I have tried this in the past but for some reason we never got in the rythym of the week x would have to leave early due to his daughter, y would have to come late due to his wifes dr. appt. So we work a flex schedule all the time. If it rains three days of the week and we had outside work planned we may work a couple of 12 hr. days the next week, to make up for the time the guys didn;t work the week before. My guys are always trying to get as many hours as possible in, and I am all for that. The more money they make the more money the business is making. We have pushed ourselves to the point of stupid mistakes and poor production so I have learned to lay off. But it's tough to hire more people right now when we are only looking at work through next month.
If you have enough steady work and the employeees are for it a 10 hr. day makes great sense financially. Less time unloading and loading up tools, less time traveling to job sites. Plus your employees get an extra day off. WIN WIN

Jason W · 03-26-2009, 04:55 PM

We have an out of town project that we're doing a 4 day work week with.It saves me and my client a lot of money in out of town expenses.

As a rule though, it's been my observation that production drops a lot after an 8 hour day.

I think a two or three man crew could do well with a four day work week, but it's the kiss of death on larger projects with 6 to 10 employee's.

Tinstaafl · 03-26-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason W

As a rule though, it's been my observation that production drops a lot after an 8 hour day.

Yes, and particularly so if it's physically strenuous work, which is the case for many of us. Mental acuity drops off as well, increasing the potential for accidents or just dumb mistakes that wind up costing time and money.

I can certainly see a longer workday being practical for some occupations, but hey, we work with sharp nasty things!

**Leo G** · 03-26-2009, 06:08 PM

Ive been doing 10 hour days as the norm, 5 days a week. Lately I've been doing 12 hour days and 8 on Sat and Sun. I could only wish for a 40 hour week.

I would think that the clients would want to have someone there Mon-Fri.

Murphy · 03-26-2009, 06:16 PM

Sounds like Leo isn't charging enough.

**Leo G** · 03-26-2009, 06:19 PM

Sounds like Leo had 3 kitchens fall on him at the same time. They should have been spread out, but because of red tape and construction delays preventing me from geting field measurements. Things weren't started on my prefered time schedule.

I charge plenty. I get this

all the time.

Warren · 03-26-2009, 06:24 PM

I once heard about an employee who suggested to the boss that they work four tens. Boss replied, "Are you kidding? I can't even get 8 good hours out of you guys. I think we would be better working seven sixes instead!

Murphy · 03-26-2009, 06:57 PM

Sorry Leo, But make sure you spend time with Family. We will all be gone too soon. Murph

**Leo G** · 03-26-2009, 08:24 PM

10 hours 5 days a week is the norm. This is not the norm for me. I have two of the jobs for GC's and they have time schedules, so I have to try to meet them. It'll be about 4 weeks of this. And after that I don't really have a hell of a lot of work lined up. I have some prospects, but nothing concrete. Might not have work for the rest of the year, who knows with this economy.

theworx · 03-26-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo G

I have some prospects, but nothing concrete. Might not have work for the rest of the year, who knows with this economy.

You have no worries Leo. With all that money stashed under your mattress you need a ladder to get into bed!!

**Leo G** · 03-26-2009, 10:36 PM

What the IRS doesn't swindle from me.

JSC · 03-26-2009, 11:03 PM

Isn't anything over 8 hours a day legally subject to overtime wage rates? I know it is on goverment'prevailing wage jobs

**Leo G** · 03-26-2009, 11:05 PM

Not if you work for yourself. Most of the time is unpaid

cleveman · 03-26-2009, 11:12 PM

I have heard of the 30 litre work week.

jcalvin · 03-27-2009, 06:19 AM

Don't worry Leo. I am a 6:30am to 11:00pm guy myself Mon-Sat. My wife called me last night and told me my daughters are felling better. I didn't even know they were sick. I sleep in the same house as they do and haven't seen them since Sun. Definately the worst part of trying to provide a good life for your fam.

**Leo G** · 03-27-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcalvin

Don't worry Leo. I am a 6:30am to 11:00pm guy myself Mon-Sat. My wife called me last night and told me my daughters are felling better. I didn't even know they were sick. I sleep in the same house as they do and haven't seen them since Sun. Definately the worst part of trying to provide a good life for your fam.

I guess that makes me lazy. When I started my company I was sick of being somewhere for 7am or earlier. I start at 8-8:15 and work to 6:30-8pm ish. Try for 10. I have learned that I will work to about 6:45 easily. If I go in at 8 I leave at 6:45, if I go in at 10 I leave at 6:45. Must be my programmed shut down. Gotta provide for your family. I'm just glad I didn't live back a couple of decades where the normal work day was 14 hours.