Gaby
The feasibility of transitioning to a four-day workweek was confirmed by a large-scale experiment that lasted six months, from June to December 2022.
The study was conducted by experts from the Autonomy think tank, along with 4 Day Week Global, the 4 Day Week Campaign, and researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK) and Boston College (USA).
Approximately 2,900 managers and employees from both large and small companies in sectors such as financial services, retail, consulting, residential construction, IT, marketing, hospitality, and recruitment participated in the study. Employees maintained their usual salaries while working 20 percent fewer hours.
Surveys conducted at the end of the experiment revealed that productivity levels remained unchanged. About 39 percent of employees reported significantly lower levels of stress and fatigue, while 71 percent noted a decrease in burnout. Participants also reported improvements in both physical and mental health, and the number of sick days taken dropped by 65 percent.
Experts noted that participants made an effort to use their work hours more efficiently and improved their relationships with colleagues.
Approximately 60 percent of respondents indicated that it became much easier for them to balance work with household responsibilities and personal life. Employees found they had more free time on weekends, which was previously spent on chores. Parents of school-aged children gained additional hours to spend with their kids, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, bosses reported that their companies’ revenues even saw a slight increase, averaging 1.4 percent.
As a result of the study, 92 percent of participating companies expressed their intention to adopt a four-day workweek, with 30 percent stating they had already made the switch.
What Inspired Researchers to Conduct This Experiment
A 2021 survey revealed that three-quarters of British “white-collar” workers considered quitting their jobs due to burnout, toxic work environments, and a lack of work-life balance.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees shifted to more flexible schedules, and the traditional five-day workweek began to feel outdated to many.
One post-pandemic study found that three out of four Britons wanted to transition to a four-day workweek. Among the reasons cited were the rising cost of living (including commuting expenses) and challenges related to childcare and caring for elderly relatives.
The new experiment was also inspired by the experiences of other countries that had previously explored the benefits of a four-day workweek or had already implemented it.
From 2015 to 2019, a four-day workweek was tested on 2,500 employees in Icelandic companies, where experts reported “stunning success” from the experiment.
Japanese companies are also increasingly adopting a four-day workweek to enhance the work-life balance of their employees.
