KUALA LUMPUR – Amid all the debate about the four-day workweek policy, the Australian-based Commission Factory can attest to a marked improvement in job productivity in addition to work-life balance amongst its employees.
The culture has been trialled across 15 countries and has garnered positive feedback, even from its customers. Zane McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer, Commission Factory says the policy has resulted in no financial impact, or pay reduction or company benefits. It was first enforced in its Sydney headquarters and since December 2020 in Malaysia.
Commission Factory staff in Malaysia has been utilising the extra day to spend time with family, increase their skills and knowledge with courses, or finding a little side income to supplement their livelihood.
While acknowledging that it is still early days in the four-day work week pilot, the results have been encouraging in that there has been continued revenue growth month-on-month, as well as year-on-year.
To keep up with progress, Commission Factory has installed a fortnightly feedback session from its staff. So far employees’ satisfaction and retention rate have increased from 89 to 95, out of 100. Its people are loving the new work culture, and say the policy was proof that the company truly cared about its employees.
The policy’s success rate is also owing to clear communication and a level of transparency that allows all departments and individuals to perform their roles with little, to no impact, if another was away.
The implementation of the policy empowers staff to assess the time in the day while constantly prioritising what their day or week would look like. It also translates to lesser meetings or shorter meetings being scheduled, better utilisation of technology in time management, and effective and succinct communication.
Commission Factory headquarters Marketing Manager, Emily Do, said Commission Factory prides itself on its open-door policy that practices no hierarchy.
The policy and its encompassing elements have enabled Commission Factory employees to feel like family.
The encouraging results of the policy’s implementation have spurred the Commission Factory’s mission to be a catalyst for change.
Clients and partners have responded positively to the four-day workweek culture and many have shown interest in implementing the same policy at their respective workplace.
The pilot is being trialled in Commission Factory teams across 15 countries. The global offices have responded positively towards the 4-day work week initiative, she affirms, and headquarters are keeping a close eye on employee feedback, workload and overall performance with its fortnightly check-in surveys.
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