There have been numerous reports lately of organisations cutting working hours to increase the engagement of employees, whilst paying the same salaries. This is said to improve productivity.
I am somewhat skeptical of such reports – and of the projects that generate them.
I am totally in favour of increasing the engagement of employees but this has to be done in ways that are sustainable in the longer-term. We have to raise and then maintain engagement.
This normally means changing the nature of the work and of working, and supervisory, relationships.
Just giving the same money for fewer working hours may give a short-term boost but is not sustainable. Remember the Hawthorne effect? (If you don’t, Google it.)
Of course, I could be proved wrong but I doubt it.
Think more carefully about what you expect people to do, how you engage with them and how you supervise and control them.
There are few productivity quick fixes.