Ontario CEO tests four-day work week for employees, says she won't go back
The founder of an Ontario company that tested out a four-day work week for her employees says she will never go back to working a full week.
Jamie Savage, CEO and founder of Toronto-based recruitment company The Leadership Agency, implemented a four-day full work week for employees in October 2020.
Savage said she noticed during the pandemic that her employees were burnt-out and she wanted to help them improve their quality of life.
Jamie Savage, CEO and founder of Toronto-based recruitment company The Leadership Agency, implemented a four-day full work week for employees in October 2020. (Supplied)
"We needed to make some changes," Savage told CTV News Toronto Wednesday. "I thought, why don’t we just do a four-day work week. Let’s try it."
Savage said her nine employees still receive the same pay and number of vacation days per year.
"The truth is that it was instantly impactful on our business," she said. "The immediate impact was their wellbeing."
Savage said her employees were using the extra time off to relax, attend fitness classes or even attend therapy sessions.
She said the result was that her employees came to work feeling less overwhelmed and were able to carry out their job much more efficiently.
Savage said she understands many companies fear implementing a four-day work week out of fear of loss productivity, but ultimately the benefits outweigh the risks for her company.
She said her employees are happier, more productive and are not leaving for other companies.
"It's not necessarily doable for everyone," she admits, adding that it would be hard in certain industries.
She says for her company, the benefit of the four-day work week "outweighs everything else in the end."
"The fact that we are able to do this means a lot of other companies can to. The more that we share and talk about it will help encourage other companies as well."
When asked if Savage would ever consider going back to a traditional five-day work week, her answer is pretty clear.
"Never," she said. "We're even looking at ways to further enhance our employee wellbeing. I will make it my mission to continue to set us apart from the rest."
Iceland made news earlier this year after sharing the result of a study into shorter work weeks.
Researchers found that working fewer hours per week for the same pay was an "overwhelming success."
The trials run by Reykjavík City Council and the national government saw worker wellbeing "dramatically" increase across a range of indicators, from perceived stress and burnout, to health and work-life balance.
Researchers found that productivity and services stayed the same or improved across the majority of workplaces.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.