Companies Have Mixed Feelings About Four-Day Work Weeks

CLEVELAND - As companies re-examine operations to become more attractive to potential employees, some have begun offering the flexibility of four-day work weeks.

Is a four-day realistic for pest control companies? It depends on a number of factors, including the size of the company, the scope of the work it does and company culture. Most of those (84 percent) who responded to PCT’s most recent Reader Poll question said they do not offer a four-day work week.

Aaron Owens, president of U.S. Pest Control, Richmond, Va., said his company is still in a major growth phase, so it needs to stay focused on being able to service as many customers as possible and being available Monday to Friday. “Since our team is still small (four), we have goals to gain as many new recurring customers as we can.”

Similarly, Marillian Missiti, president of Buono Pest Control, Boston, Mass., said that although her company does offer a four-day work week, it’s not highly encouraged due to the volume and the sensitivity of accounts they service. “I believe as our employee growth increases we can offer that flexibility as another benefit,” she said.

Owens also said a four-day work is something he would consider in the future. “In this industry to offer that, it would most likely mean there would be 10 to 12 hour work days from Monday to Friday,” he said. “It’s all about finding out what's good for your culture and what really benefits the employees, and that might mean being off one day and working long hours on the other four days.”

Mike Bullert, president of Big Time Pest Control, Anderson, Calif., said in general he prefers a five-day work week.  However, in the last few years Big Time Pest Control has “taken a serious look at being more flexible in order to keep and recruit quality employees.”

For example, the company has a service technician who is taking classes to get her teaching credential. She had been taking night classes for a while, but now she is transitioning to job shadowing and in-classroom teaching. “She is a great technician and a great employee, so we have modified her schedule to four weekdays and every other Saturday to help her be able to attend weekday classes,” he said.

Bullert said he has struggled with the concept of a shorter work week for years. “I come from the mindset of there is always room for more productivity,” he said. “However, I see that is not how the current workforce views the work-life relationship. I have seen the value in finding a common ground that provides more balance in life and ultimately leads to happier and more productive employees. I am not quite there with everyone on a four-day work week, but I certainly see the benefits.  This is something we are considering for the future.”

Our newest survey question asks: Which of these segments (general pest, termite, wildlife, mosquito) had the largest percent growth (year-over-year) in 2022?