REVISED WORKWEEK STUDY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03576A000100010023-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 3, 2005
• Sequence Number: 23
• Content Type: STUDY

Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP78-03576A000100010023-5
The four-day workweek has caught on with the public
in its mood to embrace anything that is innovative and
anything that provides more leisure. Within the past
year the number of companies incorporating the idea has
risen from 36 to 367 as of September 1971. The prime
purpose of the change is to increase profits. This is
done by increased production which is accomplishe
largely through improved employee satisfaction.
Most problems associated with the shorter week
occur during the transition phase, but are rapidly
corrected because employee "cooperation in implementing
corrective action is astonishing." Predominant employee
interest in industry, as well as in ORD, is in "trading
off a longer workday for a longer weekend."
Fatigue is not a problem for most of the workers
for several reasons. These reasons are as follows:
1. "...the new workday is not much longer
than before, while the total hours in the work-
week is now somewhat reduced."
2. "...morale is now higher."
3. "...the weekend is now 50% longer." A
medical association committee study stated that
Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP78-03576A000100010023-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP78-03576A000100010023-5
"...the five-day week fails to provide a relaxing
weekend and people need longer vacations.... In a
[two-day] weekend people don't get the relaxation
they need. The rush to use the leisure hours
produces a stress situation like the rest of the
week." Consequently, the authors conclude that
"...the four-day workweek's longer weekend more
than makes up for whatever additional fatigue,
if any, that may result from its usually lon er
workday."*
As in most organizations where a study is conducted,
the response in ORD has been overwhelmingly in favor of
trying the shortened 40-hour week. Most everyone realizes
that there will be problems which must be worked out at
the office and adjustments to be made at home. However,
actual participation in reduced workweek schedules have
shown that because of the personal motivation and involve-
ment, employees solve these problems rapidly and efficiently.
The criterion of 80% staffing was.suggested as
unnecessarily high and it was requested that this be
"reexamined." The necessity of meetings away from ORD,
travel, sickness, vacations, etc., probably reduce the
current staff coverage to less than 80% now, it was stated.
Since we now accommodate to travel, leave, etc., it
should be no more difficult under slightly altered rules.
ALSO d F& RWkeu&e 20OS WZ1 pCIA 13R78y0i3 J6A00 001CIDY bashing
2
 Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP78-03576A000100010023-5
Considerations against change are as follows:
a. Some people generally don't like change.
b. The system would be confusing to administer.
c. It would cause clock-watching.
d. Leads to formalized communications.
e. Stretches out the decision process.
f. Some people don't have the stamina for
longer hours.
g. Parents have less time with school-a e
children.
h. Create problems with working wives.
Considerations in favor of the change are as
follows:
a. Increases productivity.
b. Improves employee morale.
c. Decreases absenteeism.
d. Decreases employee turnover.
e. Reduces new personnel processing (lower
re-train costs).
f. Improves mental health since off-duty
events do impact on duty performance.
Reduces worker costs (lunch, gas, etc.).
h. Improves efficiency because of stabilized
workforce.
Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP78-03576A000100010023-5
 Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP78-03576A000100010023-5
i. Reduces commuting time.
j. Provides periods for concentration and
undisturbed attention to tasks.
k. Office start-up and close-doran time reduced.
1. Momentum in some types of work could be
maintained better.
M. Increases leisure time.
There has been considerable study applied to imple-
mentation of the four-day 40-hour system and much follow-up
on its success and progress. Even the National Association
of Manufacturers is working on programs for implementation.
(This is the organization that in 1929 predicted that the
five-day week would never catch on.)
The system has caught on because it has been shown
to provide advantages to both the employer and employee.
Consultants advise that one should not feel that all
employees have to be on the four-day basis, and that it
should not be dismissed as being "foreign to your type
of business."
Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP78-03576A000100010023-5