Studies show that having a six-hour workday makes employees more productive. Team members who work fewer hours create higher quality work, are less stressed, and take less unexpected time off than employees who work more hours. As a result, your company may benefit from having a six-hour workday.

Here are a few ways a six-hour workday can lead to a more productive workforce.

1. Flow

When employees get into the psychological state of flow, they’re fully immersed in an activity. This can exponentially increase productivity, providing a basis for having a six-hour workday. Allowing employees three to four continuous, undisturbed hours to be creative and work on high-level tasks helps them experience flow. This gets more accomplished in less time, allowing for greater productivity and less need to stay late at the office.

2. Reduced Interruptions

Significantly reducing the number of interruptions employees face each day increases productivity. As a result, they could get more done in a six-hour workday than a longer day. Have employees turn off notifications from their mobile devices. Encourage them to check email three times a day. Limit the number of meetings per week. Encourage employees to opt for a phone call rather than in-person talk when possible. Remind them to focus on one activity at a time rather than multitasking. Decreasing expectations on availability, responsiveness, and meeting attendance frees up time to focus on main responsibilities.

3. Fewer Sick Days

Employees who work fewer hours take fewer sick days. This strengthens the arument for having a six-hour workday. When employees are less stressed, they don’t get sick as often. They have less time to worry about emails, deadlines, and other issues and more time to engage in healthy activities. This results in stronger immune systems and lowered likeliness of spreading illness to coworkers. Productivity increases when colleagues aren’t picking up the slack from someone calling in sick.

4. Time for Other Activities

Switching to a six-hour workday frees up time for other activities. Effectively prioritizing high-value tasks, reducing or eliminating tasks that don’t add value, and limiting interruptions helps employees operate at a more deliberate level. Automating, delegating, or outsourcing low-value tasks frees up time for more productive work. Experimenting, measuring, and adapting to what works best increases efficiency. As a result, employees typically maintain or increase their quality and quantity of work. They tend to leave the office with an improved mental state. Allowing more time for rest, family, friends, and other personal interests makes employees happier, less stressed, and more productive.

Hire Productive Accounting and Finance Workers

Hire productive accounting and finance workers through Mercer Bradley. As a leading accounting and finance recruiting firm, we focus on thoroughly understanding your needs to create matches that work in both the long and short term. Partner with us today!