Lessons Learned from Smarter Social's Three-Day Workweek Experiment
The implementation of a three-day workweek at Smarter Social led to a rise in family time for employees but also brought challenges within the office.
** This is a speculative news article for a social simulation game. **
John James, a product manager at Smarter Social for the last three years, has seen many changes at the company, but nothing quite like the switch to a three-day workweek that was implemented in 2026.
At first, the three-day workweek seemed like a dream come true for many employees, including John. With the shorter workweek, they could spend more time with their families and work on personal projects. And as predicted, many employees like John took advantage of the shorter workweek and saw a rise in families. With daycare costs decreasing, more employees were able to start or expand their families.
However, as time went on, John began to notice that the quality of his work was suffering. Smarter Social had implemented the use of AI tools for much of their work, which made the process faster, but also more repetitive. He felt that he was no longer using his creativity or adding his personal touch to projects. Many employees were struggling to maintain the same level of quality in their work with the increase in repetitive tasks.
John was not alone in his feelings. The rise in families had brought its own set of challenges, and the wage cut has made it difficult for some to make ends meet. Many employees were feeling the pressure to maintain the same level of quality in their work while using repetitive AI tools. They missed the collaborative environment and the ability to bounce ideas off of each other. There was a sense of detachment from the work they were creating, which affected their motivation and overall job satisfaction.
Meanwhile, the employees who had chosen not to take the three-day workweek were feeling the burnout. They were working long hours and had little time for personal interests or family. The extra income was nice, but they were beginning to question if it was worth it. They were tired, stressed, and felt like they were missing out on life outside of work.
Fast forward to the year 2028, and the workplace at Smarter Social is divided. The employees who chose the three-day workweek are struggling to find a balance between their personal lives and work responsibilities. The wage cut and lack of creativity are affecting their job satisfaction, and the rise in families has brought its own set of challenges. On the other hand, the employees who chose not to take the three-day workweek are burnt out and struggling to maintain their workload. They have less personal time and are missing out on the benefits of a shorter workweek.
It's important for companies like Smarter Social to reassess the impact of significant changes on their employees. While the three-day workweek had its benefits, it also came with its own set of challenges. Smarter Social needs to make adjustments as necessary to ensure that everyone can thrive in the workplace. A company that values its employees and takes their feedback into account is more likely to succeed in the long run.
📢 Sound-Off: What would life be like with a three-day work week?
If the cost of living drastically decreased or if universal basic income was implemented to make up for lost wages, could a three-day workweek become a reality for all?
Are there any additional steps that Smarter Social could take to prioritize the well-being of its employees apart from introducing a three-day workweek? Could the use of AI technology contribute to these initiatives?
What steps can Smarter Social take to bridge the gap between its employees and address the growing division within the company?
Please note: Story and visual materials were created with the support of AI tools. Smarter Social is a fictional social media company. John James is a fictional person.