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
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.