Albert Fong’s Post

As a #startup #founder, I often find myself questioning whether I'm pushing my team too hard. Late nights, weekend work, and the constant pressure to innovate can take a toll on even the most dedicated #employees. But when I read about #Samsung's decision to implement a six-day workweek for executives, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. In an era where progressive countries and forward-thinking politicians are advocating for a #fourdayworkweek, citing increased productivity (https://lnkd.in/eikKV2BV) and employee satisfaction, Samsung's move feels like a regression to the industrial revolution. One would think that a global powerhouse like Samsung, with its vast resources and cutting-edge tech, would be at the forefront of modernizing work culture. Instead, they seem to be embracing a "crisis mode" mentality. Which... I mean, I understand the need to address economic challenges and underwhelming results, but I can't help but wonder if this is the most effective approach. Will subjecting executives to a grueling six-day schedule truly foster innovation and boost performance? Or will it lead to burnout, decreased morale, and a talent exodus? And more importantly, am I preaching to my own choir?

I admire self-assessment, hard work, and being willing to do what needs to be done and change things if need be. However, I also agree with Lisa's assessment of Samsung's decision. COVID gave us pause, frightened everyone, and generated an unconscious need for "ol' days" security. It is easier to look back and think everything was better. Thinking that hard work solves all problems is a safe mechanism to deal with insecurity. Yet, going back is not the answer. Truth is, memory fails as our brains much rather forget unpleasant times. Also, History tells us that, every time society faces insecurity it tries to go back to its comfort zone and it is never a good idea. It is something like remarrying a former spouse after going through all the divorce pains. Samsung's decision reflects all the scare of a society trying to overcome trauma. Also, In a world that changes every day due to technological advancement, the mentality of "What should I do now to keep things as they were?" pops up everywhere. Many old schoolers are afraid of losing their cushioned positions thus thinking "Let's work more to make sure we are considered to be essential and hard workers" makes sense to them. All in all, it is a sad state of affairs when a company that helps promote the changes is afraid of this new reality they are helping to make. They lack self-assessment and may need some therapy.

As the weekend rolls in, it's interesting to contrast our winding down with news from Samsung, where executives are ramping up their schedules to a six-day workweek. This move comes as the tech giant grapples with financial strains and heightened competition, particularly in the high-bandwidth memory chip market needed for artificial intelligence computing. Samsung’s decision reflects a drastic measure to inject a "sense of crisis" and boost efforts to rebound from what has been their toughest financial year in over a decade. The extended workweek is seen as a response to disappointing results and external economic pressures like rising borrowing costs and the depreciation of the Korean currency. However, this approach raises questions about work-life balance and the long-term sustainability of such intense work schedules. While it's aimed at executives—who are typically more vested in the company’s success—the ripple effects on corporate culture and employee morale are worth considering. Could this intense push lead to burnout and decreased productivity over time? Or will it galvanize the teams to push through a tough phase towards recovery? This move by Samsung underscores the challenges businesses face in highly competitive and rapidly evolving industries. As we enjoy our weekend, it's food for thought on how different cultures address business crises and the implications these strategies may have on their leaders and overall corporate health. As we reflect, it's crucial to consider the balance between driving for success and maintaining a sustainable work environment that fosters long-term well-being and productivity. What do you think about Samsung’s new approach? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/daTq4WWU #Samsung #WorkLifeBalance #CorporateCulture #BusinessStrategy #TechIndustry

Samsung, did you feed your execs a gallon of go-go juice? Six-day workweeks for your bigwigs? While all other mere mortals enjoy working a measly five days? This is like throwing work-life balance out the window and into a dumpster fire. ️ 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗽, 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗴. An extra day of work isn't going to magically turn your execs into superheroes. 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽, 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗅 Forget work-life balance, welcome back to the work-work imbalance! What’s next? Everyone's forced to work six days? Then Seven? Will there be company-issued cots under desk? Where no is ever allowed to go home? And how do you pay enough to incentivize this? If folks are working weekends Who has the time to even cash their paycheck? Will they be shown a picture of it, like a carrot on a stick? "Here's what you could have... if you weren't here ALL. THE. TIME." Yup, your money might be virtual, but your presence better be physical. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘺 "𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗱𝘆, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴? Companies are out here experimenting with four-day workweeks. You're doubling down on this 'burnout by Monday', strategy? It's archaic, it's out of touch and frankly, it's bad business. 𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. Don't you trust your own people to be creative and thoughtful?" This whole thing screams of desperation. And I predict a faceplant in the electronics department. But hey, maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps, this will unleash a hidden army of super-powered execs. Watch as they code with their eyes closed and write marketing copy with their toes. Marvel as they manifest microchips out of then air. Yeah, it sounds even sillier when I write it. So, what are your thoughts on a mega corporation moving some workers to a 6-day work week? https://lnkd.in/ePrkqNc7

I find this fascinating, that as I see more and more companies looking at productivity as a metric and how flexible/ reduced work patterns can get the most from employees, some businesses are really doubling down on going the other direction. Personally I can't see how working more days is the answer to Samsung's financial woes, but I'd be really interested to hear views on this. Do you think you would be more productive working 6 days a week, and do you think business results would improve? https://lnkd.in/dzaW5MHT

Samsung has stumbled upon a revolutionary business strategy - the six-day workweek for executives. Who needs a measly four-day workweek when you can squeeze every last drop of productivity out of your top talent? This is a potential future business textbook material, a masterstroke in the face of the "various crises" Samsung is facing. I'm sure an extra day of toil and sweat from the corner office will be the silver bullet to solve their semiconductor woes, plummeting market share, and geopolitical headwinds. After all, when the going gets tough, the tough get... going, straight back to the office on Saturdays. One can only imagine the morale-boosting effects on the rest of Samsung's workforce. The rank-and-file employees will be thrilled to see their leaders lead by example and sacrifice their precious personal time for the company's good. Talk about leading from the front! Who needs work-life balance or, heaven forbid, employee satisfaction when you can simply demand more hours from your top brass? Bravo, Samsung, bravo. This is the kind of outside-the-box thinking that will surely cement your place as an industry leader.

While firms around the world embrace a four-day week, Samsung Electronics is going in the opposite direction: The $374 billion tech giant is mandating a six-day workweek for all of its executives in a bid to “inject a sense of crisis” among workers and raise its bottom line. 💉💉💉 What kind of impact will this have on their people? Well, i'm sure Joe O'Connor at Work Time Reduction can list many reasons but, the obvious ones are the loss of leisure time, it disrupts the delicate balance between work and personal life, leading to increased stress and burnout. A shorter working week often translates to more time for rest, family, hobbies, and self-care, all of which are crucial for maintaining mental and physical health. Without this, many people find themselves trapped in a cycle of overwork, unable to recharge adequately, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction and overall quality of life. ✉️: ContactUs@CuriumSolutions.com ☎️: 0121 233 2438 🌐: www.curiumsolutions.com #peoplefirst #transformation #change #leaders #4dayweek https://lnkd.in/eefjEeyH

Working hours of some top companies: Dell Technologies: 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. PayPal: 8 hours a day. However, some employees reported that its usual to work around 9 hours a day. Sony: 9 hours a day and 45 hours a week. Intel: 40 hours a week is the minimum expectation. Siemens: Anywhere between 40 to 50 hours a week as per requirement. Amazon: A fixed minimum of 40 hours a week is required. Netflix: 8 hours or less and there’s no 9 to 5 schedule. Oracle: 8 hours or less with a minimum requirement of 20 hours a week. If one works efficiently & in a focused environment without distractions, one can achieve a lot in very few hours. Organisational changes to eliminate mundane or unnecessary yet mandatory man hours on tasks/meetings can help save up precious time resulting in increased productivity directing affirmatively affecting ROI Often times smaller companies struggle to create that balance that is competitively healthy for employees. Some organisations do exceptionally well! Johnson Controls several years ago cancelled all meetings taking place on Friday evenings for employees in India, this was when no one was talking about work life balance. Small steps create mammoth impact!

Samsung introduces the 6-Day Workweek. While firms globally are testing and some adopting four-day workweeks, citing increased productivity and employee well-being, Samsung aims to "inject a sense of crisis" and boost productivity by extending the workweek amidst its worst financial year in over a decade. Will a 6-day workweek be key to Samsung's Turnaround? This move has opened up various debates on work-life balance, productivity, and the future of work in such challenging economic times. My question would be, what will people do on that sixth day? And whether adding more hours will just add to people's stress and exhaustion, leading to worse decisions? For clarity of thinking and action, would it make more sense to attack the root of the problem, like decreasing meetings and messages, and forcing people to get the most out of their existing hours instead? What are your thoughts on Samsung's new approach? Could this be an effective strategy to revitalize a struggling giant, or might it risk the well-being and motivation of its leaders? Have you experienced or would you support a similar strategy in your own workplace? Please share your experiences and insights.