- Simon Cowell has given up working on Fridays.
- The talent show judge admitted he used to be a workaholic and clock in 20-hour days.
- Studies have shown that the four-day workweek can be beneficial.
TV personality and multimillionaire Simon Cowell has gotten on board with the four-day workweek hype and given up working on Fridays because “it’s just pointless,” he said in an interview with British tabloid The Sun.
Cowell, the mastermind behind talent shows like X Factor and America’s Got Talent, revealed how he strikes a work-life balance alongside filming as a judge for his TV shows.
The 64-year-old said that he used to be a workaholic and clocked in 20 hours of work a day running shows.
“I don’t think anyone should be working five days a week. It’s just pointless,” he told The Sun.
“Don’t work on Fridays, because you don’t have to,” he added. “Eat dinner at five o’clock. Don’t take calls after 5.30. Don’t read emails after 5.30. Watch a happy movie. And stay outside.”
There is evidence that a four-day workweek can be beneficial. A six-month trial conducted in 2022 that involved 33 companies with employees in six different countries, found that the companies who participated saw increased revenue and better wellbeing and health for their employees when they dropped to four days.
The tide is shifting somewhat against the traditional workweek structure and nine-to-five jobs thanks, in part, to the younger generations. Some GenZers are taking to social media to vent about the 40-hour workweek calling it “soul-crushing” and “depressing.”
They’re seeking out alternatives such as the four-day workweek, working nine days every two weeks, or even opting for so-called “lazy girl jobs” that are low-effort roles with decent pay.
Cowell’s routine and comments stand in stark contrast to some other celebrities from his generation, who have also criticized younger folks’ attitude to work.
Actress and TV personality Whoopi Goldberg is one of several high-profile Boomers who have called out Gen Z for their perceived lack of work ethic in recent months.
