[arsenace]

> That doesn't really mesh with the "no productivity hit" arguments though

Sure it does. Any customers who call on Friday will quickly learn you are closed, in future they'll call mon-thurs instead. The no-productivity-hit claim is based on the fact that both businesses and customers are adaptable and quickly change their behavior to match new norms.

[bryan_w]

But the widget that would have been ordered, made, and delivered on Friday will now get delivered on Wednesday due to the backlog that built up

[antisthenes]

The widget's production and delivery has nothing to do with the receptionist, though.

Most likely the widget is being ordered online, and, since everyone knows the factory is closed on Friday, it'll be made and shipped on Monday, and delivered on Tuesday/ Wednesday, regardless of whether it was ordered Thursday or Friday.

If the factory has encountered a backlog, the mechanism for worker overtime or a 2nd shift still exists.