Work, mental health and profitability

For many years I’ve focused on productivity in design studios. I’ve developed KPIs and performance targets based on the idea that we should only expect 70% of a designers’ day to be chargeable back to clients (approx 5 hours). I felt this was a reasonable figure because it allowed people time to relax a bit and engage with others in the studio. If charged appropriately this gives a sustainable business.

However according to Zappia:

…during an eight-hour workday, the average worker only spends four hours and 12 minutes actively working.

Getting a work/life balance right while maintaining mental health and a viable business is tricky.

Research shows that we need to work at least one day a week to feel worthwhile. So, too little work as much as too much work, can be detrimental for our mental health. Pressure to perform during the hours we do work can also cause mental health issues.

So how do we balance all this out?

Is the answer to let the team decide what they do and when – as long as the work gets done?
Or do we carefully schedule everything and allow plenty of time for the job to be completed?
Do we organise break out time in the studio for mental health activities?
Do we work a 4 day week?
Do we work a 4 hour day?
Do we completely change our business model?

Got a question?

Want to share your point of view? Please feel free to email me.

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Greg Branson

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