MLA Citation
Denis, Matthew. “Study: The Evidence Overwhelmingly Says 4-day Work Weeks are Good for Everyone.” The Manual, 2 Oct. 2022, www.themanual.com/culture/why-4-day-work-weeks-are-good-for-everyone/. Accessed 8 Mar. 2024.
Debatable Topic
a. Specific Topic: The implementation of 4-day workweeks in modern businesses.
b. Two Perspectives and Interested Parties:
- Perspective 1: Proponents argue that a 4-day workweek improves work-life balance, increases productivity, and boosts employee morale. Interested parties include employees and businesses seeking efficiency and employee satisfaction.
- Perspective 2: Opponents worry it disrupts workflow, burdens those still on 5-day schedules, and is not feasible for businesses requiring continuous operations. Interested parties include businesses with set operational hours and those concerned about scheduling conflicts.
Research Question
Can a successful and sustainable 4-day workweek model be implemented across various industries, or does its success vary depending on business type and size?
Explanation
- Specific Aspect: This focuses on the feasibility of the 4-day workweek outside of specific case studies. It also explores whether different industries have inherent strengths or weaknesses that make them more or less suited to this model.
- Problem to Solve: It addresses potential inequalities – can all businesses benefit equally, or are there inherent limitations? Such challenges include adapting to a shorter schedule in industries requiring continuous operations or where employees rely on hourly wages.
- Complex Arguments: Arguments exist for and against its widespread effectiveness across different business sectors and scales. For example, proponents of the 4-day workweek show increased productivity in knowledge work sectors (Denis).
Purpose of Research
- Learn More: I want to understand the realistic scope of the 4-day workweek trend and whether the benefits are as widely attainable as proponents claim.
- Multiple Voices: The research will explore the perspectives of businesses that have tried it, experts in labor studies, and employees affected by the change.
Work Cited
Denis, Matthew. “Study: The Evidence Overwhelmingly Says 4-day Work Weeks are Good for Everyone.” The Manual, 2 Oct. 2022, www.themanual.com/culture/why-4-day-work-weeks-are-good-for-everyone/. Accessed 8 Mar. 2024.
