Proponents of four-day workweeks tout benefits such as less employee absenteeism and reduced fuel costs, but the concept has its drawbacks, according to this commentary from Workforce Management. Among other potential downsides, performance management may become difficult when a focus on results is replaced with a focus on time, and innovation could be stifled by being put on a schedule. According to the article, the drive for high performance can become almost impossible and by implementing a four-day workweek and placing an emphasis on face time, you've discounted the creativity maturity of your employees.

According to the article, instead of focusing on the four-day workweek, loosen your iron grip on face time, enhance how you measure performance in your organization and let go. Allow people to telecommute. Offer flexible hours as long as the customer (internal and extrenal) get served. Measure how people are doing every couple of months.

Manage by results and manage by objectves. Just don't manage by counting hours. All you'll get from that is less of lots of things, including engagement, passion, creativity and innovation.

Read this full article here.