3-Day Week

Findings published in the Melbourne Institute Worker Paper Series states that workers above 40 will give their best performance if they work only three days a week.

The research found that cognitive performance of middle-aged people improved as the working week increased up to 25 hours a week. However, the performance was replaced by stress and fatigue if the work hours went beyond 25. This was claimed after 3,000 men and 3,500 women in Australia completed a series of cognitive tests wherein their work habits were analysed. It was revealed that those working 25 hours a week performed best while those working 55 hours a week showed results worse than that of retired or unemployed participants.

Among the three authors of the study, Professor Colin MCKenzie from Keio University said, “Many countries are going to raise their retirement ages by delaying the age at which people are eligible to start receiving pension benefits. This means that more people continue to work in the later stages of their life. Work can be a double-edged sword, in that it can stimulate brain activity, but at the same time long working hours can cause fatigue and stress, which potentially damage cognitive functions.” The research comes amid moves to edge the British state pension age closer to 70.