The 4-day work week: Transforming workplaces across the globe

A 4-day working week, where employees work four days a week instead of the traditional five, has gained attention for its potential benefits and drawbacks. The 4-day working week offers several potential benefits, including improved productivity, enhanced work-life balance, and environmental advantages. However, it also presents challenges, such as longer workdays, operational issues, and potential costs. Whether this model is suitable depends on the specific needs and circumstances of a business and its employees.

So, what is the four-day work week and what does it actually look like? It could be a compressed 40-hour work week with 10-hour days. Or it could mean a shorter, 32-hour work week with eight-hour days.

The four-day work week gained mainstream traction in 2020, as companies scrambled to keep a burnt-out, fully-remote workforce productive amid a pandemic. Turns out, employees get happier — and work harder — when companies offer flexible schedules and reduced hours at the same pay rate.

Landmark studies in Iceland and Japan suggest that a four-day work week could help companies address issues like workforce stress, deadline inefficiency, and low employee engagement. This approach may also improve talent acquisition and retention in a competitive labour market.

In another study — the world’s largest to date — 60 UK-based companies participated in a four-day work week trial for the second half of 2022. 90% of them kept the shortened week going even after the trial period ended, with 30% committing to a permanent change.

Spain, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, United Arab Emirates and Belgium all have shifted to a four-day work week, with the concept meaning something slightly different in each place. Iceland’s, for instance, is 36 hours, a figure reached after experimenting with a 35-hour week and a 37-hour week. Belgium’s work week compresses 40 hours into four days.

Pros of a 4-day working week

1. Increased Productivity
   • Focus and efficiency: Shorter work weeks can lead to improved focus and efficiency, as employees may work more effectively to meet deadlines in less time.
   • Reduced absenteeism: With a shorter work week, employees are less likely to take time off, as they have an extra day to manage personal matters.
2. Enhanced work-life balance
   • More Personal Time: Employees gain an additional day for personal activities, family time, and relaxation, contributing to a better work-life balance.
   • Reduced Stress: Having an extra day off can reduce overall stress and burnout, leading to improved mental health and well-being.
3. Attraction and retention
   • Talent Attraction: A 4-day work week can make a company more attractive to potential employees, particularly those seeking better work-life balance.
   • Employee retention: Current employees might be more likely to stay with a company that offers a shorter work week, reducing turnover rates.
4. Environmental benefits
   • Reduced Commuting: Fewer workdays can lead to less commuting, which can reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
5. Increased job satisfaction
   • Higher Morale: Employees may experience increased job satisfaction and motivation due to the improved work-life balance and additional free time.

Cons of a 4-day working week

1. Longer workdays
   • Extended hours: To fit the same number of hours into fewer days, employees might work longer hours each day, which can lead to fatigue and potential burnout.
   • Potential impact on productivity: Longer days might negate the productivity gains if employees struggle with extended work hours.
2. Business operations challenges
   • Customer service: Some industries and businesses that rely on customer service or continuous operations may find it challenging to manage with reduced operating days.
   • Coverage issues: Ensuring coverage and managing workload effectively across fewer days might be difficult for some teams or sectors.
3. Potential for increased costs
   • Operational costs: Businesses might incur additional costs for adjusting schedules, such as increased utility costs for extended hours or investment in technology to support flexible working.
4. Work-life balance variability
   • Not universal: The benefits of a 4-day work week might not be equally experienced by all employees, especially if they have personal or family responsibilities that don’t align with the new schedule.
5. Adjustment period
   • Transition challenges: Shifting to a 4-day work week requires careful planning and adjustment. There might be a learning curve and resistance from employees or managers used to the traditional schedule.

10 companies that have transitioned to a four-day workweek: Basecamp, Bolt, Buffer, DNSFilter, G2i, Goosechase, Nectafy, Panasonic, thredUp, Uncharted.