Reducing work to only 5 hours in Saudi Arabia and the fact that the decision was implemented.. Can you imagine that?

In a scene that reflects the massive transformation in the world of work, Abdulaziz Al-Mehbash, a Saudi writer interested in human resources, stresses the importance of reducing working hours to achieve maximum productivity. In a televised intervention on the “My Lady” program on Ratana Gulf channel, the Saudi writer explained that “an employee cannot work with concentration for more than 5 hours a day.”

Reasons behind lost work time

It may seem strange to say that there is no point in working long hours, but Al-Mehbash stresses that excessively long meetings cause a lot of wasted time. “One of the biggest mistakes is associating long working hours with high productivity,” he added.

Reducing working hours: towards productivity

Al-Mehbash confirms that “a system of reducing working hours will inevitably come.” He points out that flexible working hours, telecommuting, and extended weekends are excellent practices companies can adopt to increase the productivity of their employees. And he stresses that assigning the employee more than one task will certainly have a negative impact on productivity.

Productivity or unemployment?

Al-Mehbash says, “Reducing working hours is related to productivity, not unemployment.” Companies and countries that focus on productivity rather than tenure seem to find themselves in a better position to compete in the global marketplace. Al-Mehbash stresses that this shift in perception of working hours and productivity must occur not only in large organizations but also in small and medium enterprises.

Meetings: importance and effectiveness

Al-Mehbash stresses that meetings play an important role in companies, but also notes that “a prolonged meeting results in nothing.” Effective meetings require clearly defining goals and key points and managing time effectively. Meetings that don’t produce tangible results are just a waste of time and resources.

The result: productivity and convenience

Overall, Al-Mehbash believes that the approach that relies on reducing working hours and optimizing productivity is the most effective. This approach allows employees to balance work and personal life, which increases their job satisfaction and motivates them to perform better at work.

So, rather than seeking to increase working hours, companies should focus on how to optimize productivity during the hours that employees actually work. This means getting rid of ineffective meetings, providing a work environment that stimulates creativity and focus, appreciating employee efforts and providing them with the necessary support. On the other hand, employees must also make use of these allocated hours to work effectively and productively.

Finally: towards the future world of work

Ultimately, we are moving towards the world of work of the future, where productivity will be the main focus rather than hours worked. As Al-Mehbash says, “a system of reduced working hours is inevitable.”

This transition will not be easy, but it is necessary to ensure success in the future. It will require change and adaptation on the part of companies and employees alike. However, the end result—improved productivity and work-life balance—will be well worth the effort.

Let us all move towards this goal, with the awareness that long hours are not necessarily synonymous with productivity. Rather, productivity requires focus and quality of work, and this can be achieved by reducing working hours and improving working conditions.