Should We Be Working Less?

"  With flexible boundaries and digital work, people are now moving into an always-on, always-working culture." In this episode of Office Hours, we’re diving into one of the biggest debates in the world of work: Should we all be working four-day weeks? Host and student, Cari Street, is joined by leading experts Professor Heejung Chung and Joe O’Connor to explore what a shorter workweek could mean for productivity, employee well-being, and the economy. Join us as we explore: 📈 Can fewer hours actually boost productivity? 🏢 How companies are trialing the four-day week, and what they’re finding. 🧠 The benefits of more free time. 🔑 Practical Advice for having this conversation in the workplace. Professor Heejung Chung is a professor of work and employment and is the director of the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. She is the author of The Flexibility Paradox (Policy Press, 2022) and has influenced policies around the world around areas of work and family. Heejung has researched and written extensively on how shorter workweeks impact workers, businesses, gender equality, and society’s notion of value of work. Her research sheds light on the hidden challenges of work flexibility and the policies needed to make it successful. Joe O’Connor, a globally recognised expert on four-day workweeks and CEO of Work Time Revolution, also shares his insights. Joe has led some of the world's most high-profile shorter workweek trials across the globe. He specialises in helping organisations redesign work for the age of AI, reducing overwork while enhancing productivity and employee well-being. As the co-author of Do More in Four (forthcoming from Harvard Business Review), Joe provides practical strategies for companies looking to make the shift to a shorter workweek. Could a four-day workweek become the new normal? Tune in to hear expert insights, real-world case studies, and the potential challenges of making the shift.