Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on business management.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

A recent trend in the corporate world is the implementation of the four-day work week. Companies that have tried it report higher employee satisfaction and no loss in productivity. However, some critics argue this model isn't suitable for all industries and could lead to longer, more stressful workdays for employees. Do you believe the four-day work week is a positive and sustainable change for the modern workplace? Why?

Student response 1:

I am in favor of the four-day work week because it directly addresses employee burnout. Giving employees an extra day off improves their work-life balance and mental health. Consequently, when they are at work, they are more focused, creative, and motivated, which ultimately benefits the company.

Student response 2:

I don't think it's a practical solution for most businesses. While it sounds appealing, many industries like healthcare or customer service require continuous operations. Compressing five days of work into four could also create intense pressure and longer daily hours, so it might not actually reduce overall stress for employees.