World’s First Center of Excellence Launched in Canada

World’s first Center of Excellence in work time reduction launched in Canada to support the global move to shorter working weeks

The new initiative, co-designed by work time reduction evangelist and former 4 Day Week Global CEO Joe O’Connor in partnership with leading people-first transformation company Curium Solutions, is being launched (28.10.2022).

Bringing together Joe’s experience in partnering with organizations all over the world to design, coordinate and implement shorter work week trials, alongside Curium’s expertise in operational excellence and change management, the new Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence seeks to support and scale the widespread worldwide adoption of reduced hour schedules.

O’Connor and Curium Solutions have chosen Canada as the base for this new venture, due to its unique combination of business innovation, progressive thinking, openness to workplace flexibility, and cutting edge technology industry.

Hundreds of companies worldwide have adopted four-day weeks (or equivalent shorter work weeks), and momentum among Canadian businesses has grown in recent months with a sizable number participating in high-profile global trials coordinated by O’Connor.

The Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence, which is supported by world-class researchers, change management experts, operational excellence specialists, future of work thought leaders, and four-day week pioneers, designs bespoke trials, programs and projects focused on the individual needs of companies.

In addition to partnering with leaders and companies to design and customize a work time reduction roadmap that best suits their business, employee and customer needs, the Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence will support ongoing research on the impact and feasibility of reduced work time models.

The Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence will be an umbrella organization for three discrete areas of focus:

• TRANSFORMATION – Providing expert advice for leaders and companies who want to help their organizations and people to work shorter and smarter
• TECHNOLOGY - Developing high-tech digital tools, products and software to help organizations and individuals who want to work more efficiently in order to reduce their hours to make change and measure change
• TESTING - Investing in world-class future of work research and experimentation, with an emphasis on the impact and feasibility of work time reduction

Businesses can avail of a free shorter work week assessment and consultation that enables them to gauge how prepared their company is for a reduced working time project. The WTR-CoE is also offering detailed business diagnostic services, and support for leaders in establishing and preparing a business case for a shorter working week.

“This partnership is one of shared values to put people first, a shared vision to change the world of work, and a shared ambition to make reduced working time the new normal,” said Joe O’Connor, Director of the Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence. “I believe that together we can take the shorter working week movement to the next level, and deliver smarter working, greater work-life balance, more efficient businesses and improved performance, and ultimately a better quality of life for all. I’m excited to get started working with today’s changemakers and tomorrow’s pioneers to make this a reality.”

“We’ve watched the momentum behind the move to shorter working weeks gather momentum throughout 2022, and the results that companies have been achieving are impressive,” said Andy Dawson, Director of Curium Solutions. “We’ve got to know Joe and the team throughout the year. Our capabilities and values are perfectly matched. We are excited to be helping customers deliver a shorter working week solution that appeals to employers, employees and customers alike. Let’s change the way people work, and put people first in 2023.”

The Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence (WTR CoE): The Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence (WTR CoE) is a new partnership​ initiative between former 4 Day Week Global CEO Joe O’Connor, and leading​ people-first transformation company Curium Solutions.​