The traditional five-day workweek is experiencing a shake-up in workplaces across Asia. An emerging trend suggests Thursday might be taking over as the new “last day” of the workweek, with many employees choosing to work remotely on Fridays.
This shift is the result of new work patterns established during and after the pandemic, combined with changing attitudes towards remote work, productivity, and our resistance to a daily commute.
Reports from major Asian cities, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, reveal a noticeable dip in public transport ridership on Mondays and Fridays. This clearly reflects employees’ desire for flexibility at both ends of the week and raises questions about how the traditional work rhythm may be evolving across the region.
A Shift in Commuting Patterns
The trend of lower public transport usage on Mondays and Fridays signals an evolving work culture, where many employees no longer need or wish to be physically present in the office all five days.
Data from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) reveals a consistent drop in public transport ridership on these days, while central business districts remain relatively quieter. In Hong Kong, the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) has also recorded lighter commuter volumes at the beginning and end of the week.
This change suggests that Thursday, once just another weekday, is now becoming the focal point for social and professional gatherings. It is increasingly seen as the last “in-office” day before employees opt for remote work or flexible hours on Fridays.
Why Thursday?
A more significant factor influencing the Thursday trend is the widespread adoption of hybrid work models. In Asia, where pre-pandemic office culture was more rigid, the embrace of hybrid work has been relatively rapid.
In the face of rising operational costs and the need for employee satisfaction, businesses across cities like Seoul, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur are allowing more flexibility. Hybrid work arrangements mean that employees can work from home or other locations one or two days a week, often leading them to choose Friday as their remote day.
Employees report various reasons for this shift. For many, remote Fridays offer a transition into the weekend, allowing for greater work-life balance, while Mondays spent at home provide a softer start to the week. These arrangements minimise time spent commuting on the busiest days, reducing stress and enhancing productivity.
Productivity
The idea of “Friday fatigue” also plays into the shift towards Thursday as the new Friday. Research has shown that productivity tends to decline towards the end of the workweek, with employees often feeling fatigued by Friday.
Employers have responded to this by allowing more flexible work arrangements, enabling staff to complete their tasks from home.
In Asian workplaces, this shift could lead to a healthier and more sustainable work-life balance. Employees find that with remote work on Fridays, they can manage their workload more effectively, with a quieter, less distracting environment.
For many, Thursdays have become the new day for wrapping up team projects and concluding week-long initiatives. Meetings, presentations, and social gatherings are often scheduled on Thursdays, leaving Fridays for individual work.
Social Dynamics and Networking
Interestingly, the evolution of Thursday as a key day in the workweek extends beyond productivity. Socially, Thursday has increasingly become the go-to day for after-work gatherings.
In Asia, where business networking and social interactions often occur over meals or drinks, Thursdays are now seen as ideal for team dinners, client events, and informal networking sessions. This change allows employees to end their week on a high note, with Friday as a day to work quietly, recharge, or even prepare for weekend plans.
In cities like Tokyo and Singapore, where dining and socialising are integral to the work culture, restaurant bookings on Thursday evenings have seen an uptick. This increase suggests that employees may be more inclined to socialise mid-week, knowing they can enjoy a more flexible end to their workweek on Fridays.
Impact on Urban Planning
The noticeable dip in public transport ridership on Mondays and Fridays has sparked discussions on urban planning and transportation management in Asian cities. Reduced weekday commuting presents a unique opportunity for transport authorities to rethink infrastructure requirements and plan for staggered peak times. If the Thursday trend solidifies further, it could lead to targeted adjustments in public transport schedules to better align with new commuter behaviours.
Additionally, with fewer people commuting on Fridays, there is the potential to promote lower fares or alternative uses of public spaces, such as pop-up markets or events aimed at flexible workers and remote employees. In cities facing significant congestion, these shifts could be beneficial for overall traffic management and reduce the carbon footprint associated with daily commuting.
The Evolution of Flexible Work
Companies across Asia have started to respond to these evolving preferences. Several large firms, including multinational corporations in tech, finance, and consultancy sectors, have adjusted their policies to allow greater freedom over remote work days. Some firms now give employees the option to choose any two remote days, with many naturally gravitating towards Monday and Friday.
In countries like Japan and South Korea, where long hours and high productivity have traditionally been the norm, this shift has been notable. In Japan, flexible work has been actively encouraged by the government as a means to increase productivity and reduce employee burnout. In South Korea, several firms are trialling a four-day workweek, with Thursday or Friday designated as a flex or “catch-up” day.
If these trials prove effective, they may accelerate the trend of Thursday becoming the unofficial last working day of the week.
Benefits and Challenges
For employers, the shift towards a Thursday-oriented work rhythm comes with both opportunities and challenges. A clear advantage is that employees seem to feel more engaged and productive when they have control over their schedules. This flexibility has been shown to improve morale and reduce burnout, leading to better overall performance.
Additionally, fewer people in the office on Fridays can reduce energy and operational costs.
However, employers face the challenge of maintaining cohesion and teamwork if remote Fridays become too widespread. There is a risk that teams may lose a sense of connectivity if large numbers of employees are routinely absent on certain days. This issue may require employers to invest in virtual collaboration tools or develop new strategies to keep employees connected and engaged.
Will the Trend Hold?
The question remains: is Thursday truly the new Friday, or is this simply a phase influenced by post-pandemic work adjustments? Some argue that, as hybrid work arrangements become more established, employees may choose different days for remote work, dispersing the current concentration around Mondays and Fridays. Others believe the Thursday trend will stabilise as it offers an ideal balance between flexibility and productivity.
In Asian societies, where traditional office culture and hierarchies have historically been strong, such a shift could signify a broader change in the employer-employee relationship.
For the trend to hold, there will likely need to be continued support from businesses and governments in terms of policy adjustments, investments in digital infrastructure, and encouragement of flexible work models.
If the Thursday trend does become more entrenched, it could represent a substantial shift in work-life balance for employees across Asia. While the region has often been characterised by high-intensity work cultures, this shift towards a more flexible work rhythm could pave the way for healthier and more balanced lifestyles.
With the potential for remote Mondays and Fridays, employees may experience less stress and increased productivity, which could, in turn, benefit companies by reducing burnout and turnover.
The line between weekdays and weekends could even blur further. Thursday, traditionally just another day of the week, may soon hold a prominent place in the workplace calendar, acting as a natural transition into a flexible end-of-week routine.
The future of work in Asia does seem to move towards a more employee-centric model, and the rise of Thursday as the new Friday may be a strong indicator of this transformation.
