A 4-day workweek has been associated with several benefits, including cost savings, improved productivity, and better employee wellbeing, as seen in trials such as Microsoft's 2019 experiment in Japan.

The UK four-day workweek trial involved 3,300 workers from 70 companies, who worked 80% of their normal hours with no reduction in pay.

Several companies, including Atom Bank, Bolt, Buffer, and Kickstarter, have successfully transitioned to a four-day workweek, with some pilot projects also underway in countries like the US, UK, and Spain.

"Studies and trials on the 4-day workweek have been conducted in several countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and others, with the UK hosting the world's biggest trial."

The 4-day workweek trial in the UK involves 70 companies with over 3,300 workers, who will work 80% of their normal hours with no reduction in pay.

The 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the United Kingdom.

"The United Kingdom has seen an increase in businesses adopting a four-day workweek, with 21% of respondents adopting it for all staff in 2021, according to a survey by the University of Reading's Henley Business School."

The UK's four-day workweek trial, involving 70 companies and over 3,300 workers, started on 6 June, 2022, with participants working 80% of their normal hours without a reduction in pay.

The 4-day workweek study involved approximately 3,000 employees.

The UK's 4-day workweek test involved 2900 employees from 61 companies, who maintained a three-day weekend work mode for six months with no change in salary.

Companies in countries like the UK are adopting a 4-day workweek, with numerous organizations and pilot projects underway.

The UK began its 4-day workweek social experiment on June 1, 2022, with 61 companies participating in a trial that lasted until December 2022.

Flexible scheduling, such as a 4-day workweek, can provide employees with better work-life balance.

A 4-day workweek has been associated with several benefits, including cost savings, improved productivity, and better employee wellbeing, as seen in trials such as Microsoft's 2019 experiment in Japan.

Title:

Content: Four-day workweek’s popularity grew during the pandemic — survey

As companies scrambled during the COVID-19 outbreak to reorient their workplace procedures and processes, one idea that gained ground was a shorter workweek.

More businesses adopted a four-day week during the COVID-19 pandemic as the shift to remote working spurred a major rethinking of work practices, according to a poll of senior leaders at 500 UK businesses by the University of Reading’s Henley Business School.

The survey, an update to research from 2019, showed that 21% of respondents adopted a four-day workweek for all staff in 2021, up from 18% in 2019. The majority of respondents (65%) said a four-day workweek is in place for at least some of their workers, up from 50% who said that in 2019. A four-day workweek is defined in the report as involving a reduction from five to four workdays for the same pay or a compressed workweek with the same hours across four days instead of five.

Though a four-day workweek has gained popularity, the UK numbers are perhaps higher than expected; job posting site Indeed told Computerworld that less than 1% of job postings on March 11 included the term “four-day week,” for example. A Gallup survey of full-time U.S. employees in March 2020 — prior to the pandemic — indicated that only 5% put in four days a week, with the vast majority (84%) working five days (and 11% working six days each week).

That said, numerous organizations have adopted or trialled a shorter workweek for staff since the start of the pandemic, including firms such as Atom Bank, Bolt, Buffer, and Kickstarter. And pilot projects are under way in several countries, including the US, UK, and Spain.

Such projects are not new, of course; Microsoft launched a trial at its Japan offices in 2019 that resulted in higher productivity, for example, while the UK’s Wellcome Trust ran into issues around complexity with its own project the same year.

A shorter workweek has been talked about for decades, but a shift from the five-day, 40-hour week that has been the standard for over a century has so far failed to gain momentum.

What’s behind the recent interest in the idea? One reason is that the widespread, and largely successful, shift to remote work during the pandemic showed the benefits of a more flexible approach to work, said Rita Fontinha, associate professor in Strategic Human Resource Management at the University of Reading’s Henley Business School.

“The pandemic led to a situation where most firms were forced to implement remote work and this has accelerated previous discussions that we have been having over the last two decades on flexible working,” said Fontinha. “Working from home led to increased trust [between employers and employees] and awareness of other ways of measuring performance that go beyond presenteeism. The pandemic showed that flexibility works.”

Report highlights four-day week advantages

The Henley Business School survey pointed to several advantages for businesses that implemented a four-day workweek, including costs savings (66%), improved productivity (64%), better quality output from staff (64%), and  less-stressed workers (78%).

Improved employee wellbeing is connected to business outcomes too, said Jack E. Gold, founder and principal analyst at research firm J. Gold Associates.

“Keeping employees happy and motivated makes for far more productive employees, no matter what hours they work,” said Gold. “Maximizing employee productivity is a much more important way to gain business value than hours worked.”

Another benefit, noted by 68% of survey respondents that had adopted a four day week, involved hiring and retention. “People were less likely to take sick leave, people were more productive, and it was easier to attract new staff, and to retain them,” said Fontinha.

The so-called Great Resignation is also likely contributing to interest in a shorter workweek.

“What’s different now than prior to the pandemic is that we’re seeing a temporary spike in the difficulty that firms are having in hiring and retaining workers, and the four-day work week is a relatively easy benefit to extend to help ease the challenge in the short term,” said David Brodeur-Johnson, principal analyst at research firm Forrester.

A shorter workweek can mean challenges

The survey also highlighted several challenges around implementing a shorter workweek, though employer concerns have softened during the pandemic.

Among companies that did not offer a four-day week, 65% said they were worried staffing costs would outweigh any productivity benefits (though that number was down from 80%). The biggest challenge cited by employers was meeting customer demands (75%), while 70% thought a shorter week would be too complicated to manage.

Some companies may find a switch to a four-day week easier than others, said Fontinha. IT-focused firms are more likely to switch, she said, largely due to the relative ease with which tech worker output can be tracked in comparison with other roles. “Areas where we were less likely to see the four-day week were sectors that involve contact with customers, or healthcare, for example,” she said.

A shorter workweek is also more suited to companies with a relatively homogenous workforce in terms of job roles, she said, meaning large businesses with a diverse workforce may find a short workweek complicated to roll out. At the same time, the smallest companies might not have the resources to support the shift, said Fontinha, adding that there are steps all businesses can take to implement a four-day week, even if they are more gradual.

“Having this overnight shift to a four-day working week will be hard for smaller firms,” she said. “What we suggest is a progressive reduction in working hours, moving towards a four-day working week by assessing how things are going and how needs are being met, how productive people are.”

Even if the benefits outweigh the costs for many, businesses should consider their reasons for moving to a four-day week. While a shorter week provides clear benefits to work/life balance and employee wellbeing, Brodeur-Johnson warns against adopting a four-day week as a shortcut to improving employee experience. “[T]he science is clear that what really engages people is being able to make progress in meaningful work every day; to know that they can and are succeeding,” he said.

“Employee experience peaks when we can leave work knowing that we made a difference, and had a really good day," he said. "It also comes from having a supportive manager, a supportive team environment, and feeling recognized and seen uniquely for the work that we do.

“All of these things are much harder for businesses to do for their people, because it involves behavior changes, manager development, culture changes, deeper resourcing and more that a four-day work week won’t solve on its own.”

Copyright © 2022 IDG Communications, Inc.

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The UK four-day workweek trial involved 3,300 workers from 70 companies, who worked 80% of their normal hours with no reduction in pay.

Title:

Content: Finally, the four-day work week trial is here

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  • Progressive change is coming

    Britain is officially trialling the four-day work week and I’m thrilled. No, I’m not a skiver, I just believe that flexible working is the key to making life work, and the next step is the four-day workweek.

    Organised by 4 Day Week Global, the world’s biggest trial of the four-day work week began in the UK on Monday 6 June. The six-month-long trial will see 70 companies – totalling more than 3,300 workers – test out the four-day week (working 80% of their normal hours) with, it’s critical to note, no reduction in pay.

    Marie Claire has long advocated flexible working rights, supporting writer Anna Whitehouse with her Flex Appeal campaign, which started in 2019 when she was denied flexible working and told it would ‘open the floodgates’ to others seeking it.

    But for the majority, it was Covid-19 that truly changed attitudes towards the workplace, because the pandemic had so profoundly affected people’s working lives.

    Prioritise flexible working

    In 2020 Marie Claire‘s first Future of Work collaboration with LinkedIn explored how the British population felt about the prospect of returning to the pre-pandemic routine.

    The message was clear: employers need to prioritise flexible working going forward, because we realised we could work from home successfully (and that was during an unimaginably stressful period).

    The future of work

    The believed benefits of the four-day working week include:

    • More productivity through greater focus
    • Drive to adopt more efficient processes
    • Greater mental health through more time spent with family or on passions

    As with all trials, it’s important to recognise the potential negative effects – less manageable workloads, less breaks and longer hours, but I hope this pioneering movement will help shape the future of work for the better.

    Work-life balance

    It is currently impossible to have a work-life balance when we work five days and have two days off. Where is the logic? In my opinion, the four-day working week is less about motivating me to work harder – I already work hard, thank you. The four-day working week is actually about giving people enough free time to be healthy, happy and fulfilled.

    Reading now

    Popular Life stories

Several companies, including Atom Bank, Bolt, Buffer, and Kickstarter, have successfully transitioned to a four-day workweek, with some pilot projects also underway in countries like the US, UK, and Spain.

Which company in San Francisco has announced a permanent 4-day workweek?

"Studies and trials on the 4-day workweek have been conducted in several countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and others, with the UK hosting the world's biggest trial."

The 4-day workweek trial in the UK involves 70 companies with over 3,300 workers, who will work 80% of their normal hours with no reduction in pay.

The 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the United Kingdom.

"The United Kingdom has seen an increase in businesses adopting a four-day workweek, with 21% of respondents adopting it for all staff in 2021, according to a survey by the University of Reading's Henley Business School."

The UK's four-day workweek trial, involving 70 companies and over 3,300 workers, started on 6 June, 2022, with participants working 80% of their normal hours without a reduction in pay.

The 4-day workweek study involved approximately 3,000 employees.

Title:

Content: Ina Opperman
Business Journalist
3 minute read
26 Feb 2023
10:00 am

Largest 4-day week trial results good news for future of work

Ina Opperman

Will a 4-day workweek work? It seems that employees and employers are happy.

The results of the world’s largest 4-day week trial is good news for the future of work, with new research showing that these results are largely in line with existing global evidence, further demonstrating the benefits of reduced-hour, output-focused working.

The pilot programme conducted in the UK by non-profit 4 Day Week Global, the UK’s 4-Day Week Campaign and think tank Autonomy, guided over 60 companies and almost 3 000 workers through a six-month trial of a 4-day week, with no loss of pay for workers.

This brings the global campaign’s total number of completed pilot participants to 91 companies and approximately 3 500 employees. Lead researcher, professor Juliet Schor of Boston College, says overall results show that almost every organisation will stick to a 4-day week after the trial, with 91% definitely continuing or planning to continue and another 4% leaning towards continuing. Only 4% of participants are definitely not continuing.

Participating companies rated their overall experience of the trials at an average of 8.5/10, with business productivity and business performance each scoring 7.5/10. Revenue increased by 35% over the trial periods when compared to similar periods from the previous year, while hiring increased and absenteeism decreased.

ALSO READ: 28 SA companies to implement 4-day work week on 1 March

Improved employee wellbeing and health

During the trial it was also found that the health and wellbeing of employees also improved, with significant increases observed in physical and mental health, time spent exercising and overall life and job satisfaction. Rates of stress, burnout and fatigue all decreased along with problems with sleep.

Even the environmental outcomes were encouraging, with commuting time falling across the full sample by a half hour per week.

Schor says she observed an encouraging consistency in the data, with results largely steady across workplaces of varying sizes, demonstrating this is an innovation which works for many types of organisations.

“There are also some interesting differences. We found that employees in non-profits and professional services had a larger average increase in time spent exercising, while those in construction and manufacturing enjoyed the largest reductions in burnout and sleep problems.”

Behavioural scientist and new CEO of 4-Day Week Global, Dr Dale Whelehan, explained the sample produced interesting differences in gender outcomes. “While men and women benefit from a 4-day week, women’s experience is generally better for burnout, life and job satisfaction, mental health and reduced commuting time.”

ALSO READ: 4-day work week pilot so successful, all participating companies sticking to it

4-day workweek also balances home tasks

Encouragingly, the research also showed that the burden of non-work duties appears to be balancing out, with more men taking on a greater share of housework and childcare.

Co-founder and MD of 4-Day Week Global, Charlotte Lockhart, says her team is delighted to be expanding the arguments in favour of a 4-day week with this new world-class academic research. “We look forward to adding our Australasian pilot results to this data set in the coming weeks and our European, South African, Brazilian and North American results in the coming months.”

4-Day Week Global was founded in New Zealand by entrepreneurs and philanthropists, Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart, following the world-renowned success of their pioneering trial of the 4-day week in Perpetual Guardian.

Their approach is based on the 100-80-100™ model designed by Lockhart alongside the Perpetual Guardian trial in 2018. That means 100% of the pay, for 80% of the time, in exchange for a commitment to deliver 100% of the output.

4-Day Week Global’s ambition is to make a 4-day week the new default and reduced working time the new standard.

The UK's 4-day workweek test involved 2900 employees from 61 companies, who maintained a three-day weekend work mode for six months with no change in salary.

Title:

Content: The 3-day experiment was successful!
Employees say, "Can't go back," and the company benefits.
Editorial Center / General Report
Most countries around the world still use the “five-day work ” system, which allows employees to get two days off in seven days a week.
However, in recent years, some advanced countries have begun to carry out "three days off" experiments. Recently, the United Kingdom carried out a test that lasted for half a year, and the results showed that three days off a week is not only conducive to the health of employees, but also the company can benefit from it.
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According to foreign media reports, researchers from the British non-profit organization "4 Day Week Global" and top universities such as Autonomy think tank, Cambridge, Oxford and Boston, USA, led the three-day weekend trial, and found 61 companies in different fields, a total of 2,900 employees from June 2022, to maintain the three-day weekend work mode for six months, with no change in salary.
This experiment is also the world 's largest weekly rest 3 day experiment, also in the recent experimental results released, the results found that for employees, not only can get enough sleep and improve anxiety problems, work laziness, but also more time to study and accompany their families, "71% of employees think that after the implementation of the weekly rest 3 days, work laziness is reduced, 40% of people also feel their own. Mental health and physical conditions have improved", and 96% of the employees admitted that they prefer to take a 3-day week off, and 15% of them insisted that they continue to take a 3-day week off, even if the salary is increased, they will not want to return to the 2-day week mode.
Brendan Burchell, a professor of social sciences at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, also mentioned that before the trial, there was concern that employees working only four days a week might usher in higher intensity work, which would offset the benefits of three days off, but the results showed that “people found various ways to be more productive and reduce a lot of time wasted. ”
Because of the improvement of the physical and mental conditions of employees, the 61 companies in this experiment also benefited, not only the number of sick days of employees decreased by 60%, the turnover rate of employees decreased, and the average income increased by about 1%, so most companies want to continue to implement the three-day week off model.
(Editor: Pan Yi)
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Companies in countries like the UK are adopting a 4-day workweek, with numerous organizations and pilot projects underway.

The UK began its 4-day workweek social experiment on June 1, 2022, with 61 companies participating in a trial that lasted until December 2022.

Title:

Content: UK companies test "4-day working week" workers generally agree that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages 51% permanent implementation
Author: Zhang Zijie
Published: Updated:
A number of UK companies are participating in a four-day workweek pilot scheme in the second half of 2022, with media reporting that most of the participating companies continue to allow employees to work fewer hours per week, and more than half of the companies have made the arrangement a regular measure.
The United Kingdom has 61 companies from marketing, professional services, non-profit organizations, construction, manufacturing, retail, health care, art and other industries, employees from June to December 2022, participate in the four-day work week, pay and performance of the same trial.
British citizens walk through the Canary Wharf Financial District on August 3, 2023. (Reuters)
As of the end of 2023, at least 89% of participating companies continued to maintain the measure, and at least 51% permanently implemented the measure, according to a report published by Autonomy, a think-tank that conducted the research.
The study found that shortening work hours generally benefits employees and businesses, who feel that their mental and physical health has improved, as well as a better balance between work and life, a better life, and less fatigue from work.
In addition, the managers and CEOs of the 28 participating companies unanimously agreed that the four-day work week has had a positive impact on the company, reducing staff wastage, significantly improving recruitment, and benefiting employees physically and mentally.
Sixty-one companies from different industries in the UK piloted a four-day work week in 2022, and the results were generally positive.
People enjoy a view of the City of London on 23 September 2023.
(Reuters)
The study, which listed a number of ways to maintain a four-day work week, including safety changes such as meetings, workplace communication, and work priorities, found that the improvements felt by employees continued for a year after the trial ended.
Researchers at Boston College, Cambridge, and Oxford University believe that the key to the strength of the data is not the rare or short-term impact, but the real and long-term impact.
Therefore, the four-day work week is not a flash in the sky, and British companies have succeeded in turning it into a permanent and effective measure.
Is the overall efficiency of returning less than one day of work declining instead of rising?
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Flexible scheduling, such as a 4-day workweek, can provide employees with better work-life balance.

What did a survey on 4-day workweek conducted in Hong Kong show?

61% of respondents said employers could implement a four-day workweek to improve employees' mental health.

What did surveys conducted in London before and after the experiment of 4-day workweek  find?

54% of employees had better balance of work and home responsibilities


A 4-day workweek has been associated with several benefits, including cost savings, improved productivity, and better employee wellbeing, as seen in trials such as Microsoft's 2019 experiment in Japan.

A 4-day workweek is associated with several benefits, including cost savings, improved productivity, better employee wellbeing, and improved work-life balance, as supported by survey results and expert opinions.

A 4-day workweek offers various benefits, including improved productivity, work-life balance, and employee wellbeing, but its implementation should be carefully considered to ensure it meets the needs of both employers and employees.

A 4-day workweek is associated with several benefits, including increased productivity, improved work-life balance, and better employee wellbeing, which can be achieved through greater focus, more efficient processes, and more time spent with family or on passions.

A 4-day workweek can bring various benefits, including improved productivity, better work-life balance, and increased employee satisfaction, ultimately leading to healthier, happier, and more fulfilled individuals.

The UK four-day workweek trial involved 3,300 workers from 70 companies, who worked 80% of their normal hours with no reduction in pay.

More than 3,000 employees participated in the UK four-day workweek trial.

The UK four-day workweek trial involved almost 3,000 workers in a six-month trial with no loss of pay.

The UK four-day workweek trial involved approximately 2,900 employees, showing benefits in worker health and company profits.

Several companies, including Atom Bank, Bolt, Buffer, and Kickstarter, have successfully transitioned to a four-day workweek, with some pilot projects also underway in countries like the US, UK, and Spain.

"Multiple companies have successfully transitioned to a four-day workweek, citing benefits such as cost savings, improved productivity, and better employee well-being."

"Several companies, including Buffer and Microsoft Japan, have successfully implemented a four-day workweek, resulting in increased productivity and improved employee well-being."

"Several companies, including Perpetual Guardian and Microsoft Japan, have successfully transitioned to a four-day workweek, with reported benefits including increased productivity and improved work-life balance."

"Studies and trials on the 4-day workweek have been conducted in several countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and others, with the UK hosting the world's biggest trial."

Studies and trials on the 4-day workweek have been conducted in several countries including the USA and Ireland, where positive effects on employee well-being were observed.

"Studies and trials on the 4-day workweek have been conducted in several countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and others, with the UK's pilot programme being one of the largest trials to date."

The 4-day workweek trial in the UK involves 70 companies with over 3,300 workers, who will work 80% of their normal hours with no reduction in pay.

61 UK companies participated in the 4-day workweek trial.

The 4-day workweek trial in the UK involved 70 companies.

"A total of 61 UK companies participated in the 4-day workweek trial, with 56 of them intending to continue the shorter workweek."

Over 70 UK companies participated in the 4-day workweek trial by joining a scheme to alter their working week basis.

The 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the United Kingdom.

A 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the UK, resulting in increased productivity and other benefits.

The 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the United Kingdom, involving 61 companies across various industries from June to December 2022.

A 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the UK, involving over 60 companies and 3,000 workers, with no loss of pay, as part of a pilot programme by 4 Day Week Global, the UK’s 4-Day Week Campaign, and Autonomy.

A 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the UK, involving 61 companies across different industries, and yielded generally positive results.

"The United Kingdom has seen an increase in businesses adopting a four-day workweek, with 21% of respondents adopting it for all staff in 2021, according to a survey by the University of Reading's Henley Business School."

The UK has conducted a four-day workweek trial, which is relevant to the question about countries that have successfully implemented such experiments.

The UK has successfully implemented a 4-day workweek experiment, with a six-month trial involving over 60 companies and almost 3,000 workers, resulting in no loss of pay for workers.

The 4-day workweek experiment has been successful in several developed countries, including the United Kingdom and Iceland, with studies showing that employees achieve the same levels of productivity while experiencing improved job satisfaction and work-life balance.

The United Kingdom has conducted a successful 4-day workweek experiment, resulting in increased productivity and job applications, as well as decreased absenteeism.

The UK's four-day workweek trial, involving 70 companies and over 3,300 workers, started on 6 June, 2022, with participants working 80% of their normal hours without a reduction in pay.

The UK's four-day workweek trial started on June 6, 2022, and lasted until December 2022, involving 61 companies across various industries.

The UK's four-day workweek trial started on 6 June, 2022, and involved 61 companies from various industries, yielding generally positive results.

The 4-day workweek study involved approximately 3,000 employees.

A 4-day workweek study involved 3,000 employees.

More than 3,000 employees are participating in the 4-day workweek study.

The 4-day workweek study involved approximately 2,900 employees from British companies, indicating a significant sample size for assessing the impacts of a reduced workweek on employee well-being and company profits.

The 4-day workweek study involved more than 3,300 workers from 70 companies.

The UK's 4-day workweek test involved 2900 employees from 61 companies, who maintained a three-day weekend work mode for six months with no change in salary.

Approximately 2,900 employees participated in the UK's 4-day workweek test.

The UK's 4-day workweek test involved approximately 2900 employees in a six-month trial with no loss of pay.

The UK's 4-day workweek test involved approximately 2,900 employees and resulted in increased profits and improved worker health.

Companies in countries like the UK are adopting a 4-day workweek, with numerous organizations and pilot projects underway.

Companies in the United Kingdom are adopting a 4-day workweek as part of a six-month trial, with 70 companies and over 3,300 workers participating.

Companies in the UK are adopting a 4-day workweek, with 70 companies joining a scheme to alter their working week basis.

Companies in the UK are adopting a 4-day workweek, despite challenges related to coordination, equality, and business continuity.

Companies in the United Kingdom are among those starting to adopt a 4-day workweek, as part of a global trend to explore the benefits of reduced working hours.

The UK began its 4-day workweek social experiment on June 1, 2022, with 61 companies participating in a trial that lasted until December 2022.

The UK began its 4-day workweek social experiment on June 1, 2022, with 61 companies participating, yielding generally positive results.

Flexible scheduling, such as a 4-day workweek, can provide employees with better work-life balance.

Flexible scheduling, such as a four-day work week, can provide employees with better work-life balance and improved well-being.

Flexible scheduling, such as a 4-day workweek, can provide employees with better work-life balance by allowing more time for family or personal passions, leading to greater mental health.

Flexible scheduling, like a 4-day workweek, can improve employees' work-life balance by providing more free time for health, happiness, and fulfillment.

Flexible scheduling, like a 4-day workweek, can help employees achieve better work-life balance.

The 4-day Week Pilot Trail reported a negative outcome of increased burnout symptoms in 22% of participants.

Companies have reported improved productivity from adopting a four-day workweek, as seen in Microsoft's trial in Japan.

Companies have reported several benefits from adopting a four-day week, including improved productivity, cost savings, and better employee wellbeing.

Companies have reported improved productivity as a benefit of adopting the four-day week, which is achieved through greater focus and more efficient processes.

Companies have reported improved productivity as a benefit of adopting a four-day week, based on trials conducted in several countries.

Companies that have adopted the four-day week have reported improved productivity, with examples including Buffer and Microsoft Japan, which saw increases in productivity of 34% and 40%, respectively.

Employers are adopting the 4-day workweek to improve employee well-being, increase productivity, and attract new staff, with benefits including cost savings, better work-life balance, and reduced employee stress.

"Employers adopt the 4-day workweek to improve work-life balance, attract new employees, and boost productivity."

Employers are adopting the 4-day workweek to attract new employees, improve work-life balance, and increase productivity, driven by benefits such as greater focus, efficient processes, and improved mental health.

Employers are adopting the 4-day workweek to improve work-life balance, attract new employees, and increase productivity, as it provides employees with more free time to be healthy and fulfilled.

Employers are adopting the 4-day workweek to attract new employees, improve work-life balance, and increase productivity, driven by technological advancements and potential benefits such as improved employee well-being and increased productivity.

A 4-day workweek has been associated with several benefits, including cost savings, improved productivity, and better employee wellbeing, as seen in trials such as Microsoft's 2019 experiment in Japan.

Title:

Content: Four-day workweek’s popularity grew during the pandemic — survey

As companies scrambled during the COVID-19 outbreak to reorient their workplace procedures and processes, one idea that gained ground was a shorter workweek.

More businesses adopted a four-day week during the COVID-19 pandemic as the shift to remote working spurred a major rethinking of work practices, according to a poll of senior leaders at 500 UK businesses by the University of Reading’s Henley Business School.

The survey, an update to research from 2019, showed that 21% of respondents adopted a four-day workweek for all staff in 2021, up from 18% in 2019. The majority of respondents (65%) said a four-day workweek is in place for at least some of their workers, up from 50% who said that in 2019. A four-day workweek is defined in the report as involving a reduction from five to four workdays for the same pay or a compressed workweek with the same hours across four days instead of five.

Though a four-day workweek has gained popularity, the UK numbers are perhaps higher than expected; job posting site Indeed told Computerworld that less than 1% of job postings on March 11 included the term “four-day week,” for example. A Gallup survey of full-time U.S. employees in March 2020 — prior to the pandemic — indicated that only 5% put in four days a week, with the vast majority (84%) working five days (and 11% working six days each week).

That said, numerous organizations have adopted or trialled a shorter workweek for staff since the start of the pandemic, including firms such as Atom Bank, Bolt, Buffer, and Kickstarter. And pilot projects are under way in several countries, including the US, UK, and Spain.

Such projects are not new, of course; Microsoft launched a trial at its Japan offices in 2019 that resulted in higher productivity, for example, while the UK’s Wellcome Trust ran into issues around complexity with its own project the same year.

A shorter workweek has been talked about for decades, but a shift from the five-day, 40-hour week that has been the standard for over a century has so far failed to gain momentum.

What’s behind the recent interest in the idea? One reason is that the widespread, and largely successful, shift to remote work during the pandemic showed the benefits of a more flexible approach to work, said Rita Fontinha, associate professor in Strategic Human Resource Management at the University of Reading’s Henley Business School.

“The pandemic led to a situation where most firms were forced to implement remote work and this has accelerated previous discussions that we have been having over the last two decades on flexible working,” said Fontinha. “Working from home led to increased trust [between employers and employees] and awareness of other ways of measuring performance that go beyond presenteeism. The pandemic showed that flexibility works.”

Report highlights four-day week advantages

The Henley Business School survey pointed to several advantages for businesses that implemented a four-day workweek, including costs savings (66%), improved productivity (64%), better quality output from staff (64%), and  less-stressed workers (78%).

Improved employee wellbeing is connected to business outcomes too, said Jack E. Gold, founder and principal analyst at research firm J. Gold Associates.

“Keeping employees happy and motivated makes for far more productive employees, no matter what hours they work,” said Gold. “Maximizing employee productivity is a much more important way to gain business value than hours worked.”

Another benefit, noted by 68% of survey respondents that had adopted a four day week, involved hiring and retention. “People were less likely to take sick leave, people were more productive, and it was easier to attract new staff, and to retain them,” said Fontinha.

The so-called Great Resignation is also likely contributing to interest in a shorter workweek.

“What’s different now than prior to the pandemic is that we’re seeing a temporary spike in the difficulty that firms are having in hiring and retaining workers, and the four-day work week is a relatively easy benefit to extend to help ease the challenge in the short term,” said David Brodeur-Johnson, principal analyst at research firm Forrester.

A shorter workweek can mean challenges

The survey also highlighted several challenges around implementing a shorter workweek, though employer concerns have softened during the pandemic.

Among companies that did not offer a four-day week, 65% said they were worried staffing costs would outweigh any productivity benefits (though that number was down from 80%). The biggest challenge cited by employers was meeting customer demands (75%), while 70% thought a shorter week would be too complicated to manage.

Some companies may find a switch to a four-day week easier than others, said Fontinha. IT-focused firms are more likely to switch, she said, largely due to the relative ease with which tech worker output can be tracked in comparison with other roles. “Areas where we were less likely to see the four-day week were sectors that involve contact with customers, or healthcare, for example,” she said.

A shorter workweek is also more suited to companies with a relatively homogenous workforce in terms of job roles, she said, meaning large businesses with a diverse workforce may find a short workweek complicated to roll out. At the same time, the smallest companies might not have the resources to support the shift, said Fontinha, adding that there are steps all businesses can take to implement a four-day week, even if they are more gradual.

“Having this overnight shift to a four-day working week will be hard for smaller firms,” she said. “What we suggest is a progressive reduction in working hours, moving towards a four-day working week by assessing how things are going and how needs are being met, how productive people are.”

Even if the benefits outweigh the costs for many, businesses should consider their reasons for moving to a four-day week. While a shorter week provides clear benefits to work/life balance and employee wellbeing, Brodeur-Johnson warns against adopting a four-day week as a shortcut to improving employee experience. “[T]he science is clear that what really engages people is being able to make progress in meaningful work every day; to know that they can and are succeeding,” he said.

“Employee experience peaks when we can leave work knowing that we made a difference, and had a really good day," he said. "It also comes from having a supportive manager, a supportive team environment, and feeling recognized and seen uniquely for the work that we do.

“All of these things are much harder for businesses to do for their people, because it involves behavior changes, manager development, culture changes, deeper resourcing and more that a four-day work week won’t solve on its own.”

Copyright © 2022 IDG Communications, Inc.

7 inconvenient truths about the hybrid work trend
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A 4-day workweek is associated with several benefits, including cost savings, improved productivity, better employee wellbeing, and improved work-life balance, as supported by survey results and expert opinions.

What did  the trial of 4-day workwee in New Zealand show?

The productivity  increased
The employees were happier

What did a survey on 4-day workweek conducted in Hong Kong show?

61% of respondents said employers could implement a four-day workweek to improve employees' mental health.

What did surveys conducted in London before and after the experiment of 4-day workweek  find?

54% of employees had better balance of work and home responsibilities

What has the implementation 4-day wrokweek in Dubai, UAE indicated?

A 4-day workweek offers various benefits, including improved productivity, work-life balance, and employee wellbeing, but its implementation should be carefully considered to ensure it meets the needs of both employers and employees.

What did  the trial of 4-day workwee in New Zealand show?

What did a survey on 4-day workweek conducted in Hong Kong show?

61% of respondents said employers could implement a four-day workweek to improve employees' mental health.

What did surveys conducted in London before and after the experiment of 4-day workweek  find?

54% of employees had better balance of work and home responsibilities

What has the implementation 4-day wrokweek in Dubai, UAE indicated?

A 4-day workweek is associated with several benefits, including increased productivity, improved work-life balance, and better employee wellbeing, which can be achieved through greater focus, more efficient processes, and more time spent with family or on passions.

Title:

Content: Finally, the four-day work week trial is here

  • Marie Claire is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
  • Progressive change is coming

    Britain is officially trialling the four-day work week and I’m thrilled. No, I’m not a skiver, I just believe that flexible working is the key to making life work, and the next step is the four-day workweek.

    Organised by 4 Day Week Global, the world’s biggest trial of the four-day work week began in the UK on Monday 6 June. The six-month-long trial will see 70 companies – totalling more than 3,300 workers – test out the four-day week (working 80% of their normal hours) with, it’s critical to note, no reduction in pay.

    Marie Claire has long advocated flexible working rights, supporting writer Anna Whitehouse with her Flex Appeal campaign, which started in 2019 when she was denied flexible working and told it would ‘open the floodgates’ to others seeking it.

    But for the majority, it was Covid-19 that truly changed attitudes towards the workplace, because the pandemic had so profoundly affected people’s working lives.

    Prioritise flexible working

    In 2020 Marie Claire‘s first Future of Work collaboration with LinkedIn explored how the British population felt about the prospect of returning to the pre-pandemic routine.

    The message was clear: employers need to prioritise flexible working going forward, because we realised we could work from home successfully (and that was during an unimaginably stressful period).

    The future of work

    The believed benefits of the four-day working week include:

    • More productivity through greater focus
    • Drive to adopt more efficient processes
    • Greater mental health through more time spent with family or on passions

    As with all trials, it’s important to recognise the potential negative effects – less manageable workloads, less breaks and longer hours, but I hope this pioneering movement will help shape the future of work for the better.

    Work-life balance

    It is currently impossible to have a work-life balance when we work five days and have two days off. Where is the logic? In my opinion, the four-day working week is less about motivating me to work harder – I already work hard, thank you. The four-day working week is actually about giving people enough free time to be healthy, happy and fulfilled.

    Reading now

    Popular Life stories

What did  the trial of 4-day workwee in New Zealand show?

The productivity  increased
The employees were happier

What did a survey on 4-day workweek conducted in Hong Kong show?

61% of respondents said employers could implement a four-day workweek to improve employees' mental health.

What did surveys conducted in London before and after the experiment of 4-day workweek  find?

54% of employees had better balance of work and home responsibilities

What has the implementation 4-day wrokweek in Dubai, UAE indicated?

Increase in work quality indicators
Increase in productivity

A 4-day workweek can bring various benefits, including improved productivity, better work-life balance, and increased employee satisfaction, ultimately leading to healthier, happier, and more fulfilled individuals.

What did  the trial of 4-day workwee in New Zealand show?

The productivity  increased
The employees were happier

What did a survey on 4-day workweek conducted in Hong Kong show?

61% of respondents said employers could implement a four-day workweek to improve employees' mental health.

What did surveys conducted in London before and after the experiment of 4-day workweek  find?

54% of employees had better balance of work and home responsibilities

What has a Gallup Poll found out about the prospect of 4-day workweek?

77% of American employees believe that it will have a positive impact on their health

What has the implementation 4-day wrokweek in Dubai, UAE indicated?

Increase in employee and customer satisfaction.

What were the results of UAE's trial of 4-day workday?

A 90% increase in job performance, happiness, and mental health.

The UK four-day workweek trial involved 3,300 workers from 70 companies, who worked 80% of their normal hours with no reduction in pay.

More than 3,000 employees participated in the UK four-day workweek trial.

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Content: 105.3 RnB Featured Video
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Source: filadendron / Getty

Wouldn’t it be nice if the weekends were just a little longer?

A study is currently being conducted to determine if employees benefit more from four-day work weeks.

A movement named 4-Day Week Global has launched an experiment in Britain. For the past few months, thousands of employees have worked four days per week.

Even if there are only four days instead of five, the employees are still paid the same and expected to complete the same amount of work. The largest experiment of its sort has reportedly been conducted.

CNN reports that several employees say the new timetable has changed their lives. Everything from chores and errands to rest and relaxation is done on that extra day. But that does not imply that everything has gone smoothly.

Working fewer days means doing more work in a shorter amount of time.

The planned duration of this experiment is six months. The study includes 70 businesses and more than 3,000 employees. Researchers from Boston College, Oxford University, and Cambridge University are participating in the study.

The involved companies will decide whether to keep the shorter work week in November.

Read the full story here.

The UK four-day workweek trial involved almost 3,000 workers in a six-month trial with no loss of pay.

Title:

Content: Ina Opperman
Business Journalist
3 minute read
26 Feb 2023
10:00 am

Largest 4-day week trial results good news for future of work

Ina Opperman

Will a 4-day workweek work? It seems that employees and employers are happy.

The results of the world’s largest 4-day week trial is good news for the future of work, with new research showing that these results are largely in line with existing global evidence, further demonstrating the benefits of reduced-hour, output-focused working.

The pilot programme conducted in the UK by non-profit 4 Day Week Global, the UK’s 4-Day Week Campaign and think tank Autonomy, guided over 60 companies and almost 3 000 workers through a six-month trial of a 4-day week, with no loss of pay for workers.

This brings the global campaign’s total number of completed pilot participants to 91 companies and approximately 3 500 employees. Lead researcher, professor Juliet Schor of Boston College, says overall results show that almost every organisation will stick to a 4-day week after the trial, with 91% definitely continuing or planning to continue and another 4% leaning towards continuing. Only 4% of participants are definitely not continuing.

Participating companies rated their overall experience of the trials at an average of 8.5/10, with business productivity and business performance each scoring 7.5/10. Revenue increased by 35% over the trial periods when compared to similar periods from the previous year, while hiring increased and absenteeism decreased.

ALSO READ: 28 SA companies to implement 4-day work week on 1 March

Improved employee wellbeing and health

During the trial it was also found that the health and wellbeing of employees also improved, with significant increases observed in physical and mental health, time spent exercising and overall life and job satisfaction. Rates of stress, burnout and fatigue all decreased along with problems with sleep.

Even the environmental outcomes were encouraging, with commuting time falling across the full sample by a half hour per week.

Schor says she observed an encouraging consistency in the data, with results largely steady across workplaces of varying sizes, demonstrating this is an innovation which works for many types of organisations.

“There are also some interesting differences. We found that employees in non-profits and professional services had a larger average increase in time spent exercising, while those in construction and manufacturing enjoyed the largest reductions in burnout and sleep problems.”

Behavioural scientist and new CEO of 4-Day Week Global, Dr Dale Whelehan, explained the sample produced interesting differences in gender outcomes. “While men and women benefit from a 4-day week, women’s experience is generally better for burnout, life and job satisfaction, mental health and reduced commuting time.”

ALSO READ: 4-day work week pilot so successful, all participating companies sticking to it

4-day workweek also balances home tasks

Encouragingly, the research also showed that the burden of non-work duties appears to be balancing out, with more men taking on a greater share of housework and childcare.

Co-founder and MD of 4-Day Week Global, Charlotte Lockhart, says her team is delighted to be expanding the arguments in favour of a 4-day week with this new world-class academic research. “We look forward to adding our Australasian pilot results to this data set in the coming weeks and our European, South African, Brazilian and North American results in the coming months.”

4-Day Week Global was founded in New Zealand by entrepreneurs and philanthropists, Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart, following the world-renowned success of their pioneering trial of the 4-day week in Perpetual Guardian.

Their approach is based on the 100-80-100™ model designed by Lockhart alongside the Perpetual Guardian trial in 2018. That means 100% of the pay, for 80% of the time, in exchange for a commitment to deliver 100% of the output.

4-Day Week Global’s ambition is to make a 4-day week the new default and reduced working time the new standard.

The UK four-day workweek trial involved approximately 2,900 employees, showing benefits in worker health and company profits.

Title:

Content: Four working days a week increases profits and improves workers ’ health
T + T - normal size
Researchers have found that the four-day workweek system tested by British companies with about 2,900 employees not only saves workers from fatigue and disease, but is also good for the work itself, as it does not lead to lower profits, but increases them.
Therefore, most of the companies that tested it plan to continue working with it, according to Russia Today.
The researchers surveyed employees regularly and periodically to assess the impact of the extra day off on their lives.
The workers stressed that currently they rarely suffer from anxiety and that their mental health has improved significantly.
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Several companies, including Atom Bank, Bolt, Buffer, and Kickstarter, have successfully transitioned to a four-day workweek, with some pilot projects also underway in countries like the US, UK, and Spain.

Which company in San Francisco has announced a permanent 4-day workweek?

"Multiple companies have successfully transitioned to a four-day workweek, citing benefits such as cost savings, improved productivity, and better employee well-being."

What did  the trial of 4-day workwee in New Zealand show?

The productivity  increased
The employees were happier

What did a survey on 4-day workweek conducted in Hong Kong show?

61% of respondents said employers could implement a four-day workweek to improve employees' mental health.

What has the implementation 4-day wrokweek in Dubai, UAE indicated?

"Several companies, including Buffer and Microsoft Japan, have successfully implemented a four-day workweek, resulting in increased productivity and improved employee well-being."

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A Psychologist Explores The ‘Shorter Workweek Paradox’

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Have you ever wished you never had to work on a Monday? Your dream might be closer than you think. The concept of reduced working hours is gaining traction globally as organizations and governments recognize the detrimental effects of long hours on employees and employers.

This perspective is catalyzing a shift toward rethinking and reducing work hours to promote healthier life practices. For instance, the post-pandemic adoption of hybrid work models contributed to the understanding that a healthy work-life balance boosts employee satisfaction and productivity. Shorter workweeks can be achieved in different ways. For example:

  • Four-day week. Apart from the weekend, you are also given a day off on Monday or Friday.
  • Fewer daily work hours. You still have to work a five-day workweek, with a reduction in your daily working hours.
  • Half-days off. You are given two afternoons off in a five-day workweek.

What Are The Benefits Of Reduced Working Hours?

In several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Spain, trials have been carried out to test the efficiency of shorter workweeks, highlighting the following benefits:

  1. Improved work performance. Shorter workweeks might encourage you to finish your work quicker and with fewer distractions. In 2020, Buffer, an American company, introduced four-day weeks. Based on their extensive trials, 34% of their employees felt more productive, resulting in Buffer permanently shifting to a four-day workweek in 2021. The reduced hours also incentivize you to be creative with your time and encourage efficiency. In their 2019 four-day workweek project, Microsoft Japan initiated collaborative online communication, reduced meetings to 30 minutes and limited meeting participants. Not only were the workers happier, they also experienced a 40% increase in productivity.
  2. Improved health and well-being. Having more time to recuperate from work can positively influence your well-being. A 2022 study found that upon reducing work hours to 30 hours per week, individuals experienced reduction in stress and sleep problems. A four-day week trial conducted in the USA and Ireland showed that employees experienced a 9% reduction in fatigue and 67% also experienced a drop in burnout levels.
  3. Higher life satisfaction. Shorter work hours and more free time tend to improve one’s perception of their life situation. A study in Sweden examined the effects of reduced work hours and canceled lunch breaks for nurses while retaining their wages. The participants reported greater life satisfaction and higher energy levels. “You get a life. I can say as much. You do get it, actually—it is unbelievable what a big difference these two hours make,” a participant explained.
  4. Better work-life balance. Reduced work hours can foster a healthy balance between work and leisure activities. A study found that reducing employees’ work hours while retaining their full pay led to positive work-life balance. They experienced more positive emotions before work, reduced work-related worries and improved relationships with partners, colleagues and their children.

While reduced working hours might seem like a revolutionary idea from afar, reality may be more complex up close. Which brings us to:

What Are The Potential Pitfalls Of Reduced Working Hours?

Here’s why ditching the time-tested five-day workweek needs to be considered carefully:

  1. Monetary issues. Some companies provide shorter workweeks with salary deductions. Employees might also face issues in wage regulations and overtime pay. These can adversely impact their living standards and savings. A 2022 study found that working reduced hours left 45% of individuals worried about having low future retirement income and 33% of individuals found it harder to make ends meet.
  2. Reduced employee bonding. The time crunch to complete tasks in less time can impede social aspects of the job. Some companies also shorten lunch breaks to compensate for missed hours. In such cases, employees rarely get to meet their colleagues and miss out on social interaction.
  3. Higher work pressure. Reducing work hours can increase strain on employees when implemented without foresight. A four-day workweek trial conducted in the UK found that work felt more intense for 36% of the employees. Forty-five percent of employees also felt that their productivity either remained the same as before or decreased in comparison.
  4. Short-term effects. Extensive research on reduced working hours has yet to establish its effectiveness in the long run. A 2022 Gallup survey revealed that the high well-being once associated with four-day workweeks leveled out to match that of the five-day workweek. Four-day workweeks also led to greater burnout than five-day workweeks.

Your desire for a shorter workweek is well-founded. However, initiating a conversation about reduced work hours with your team requires tact and consideration. You must engage in open dialogue, highlighting the potential benefits and addressing concerns to ensure a healthy consensus and eventually, a smooth transition to a work environment that accommodates diverse work styles.

Working less can improve your quality of life. It’s also important to find a “psychologically safe” workplace. Learn if your employer is meeting your needs by taking the evidence-based Psychological Safety Scale.

"Several companies, including Perpetual Guardian and Microsoft Japan, have successfully transitioned to a four-day workweek, with reported benefits including increased productivity and improved work-life balance."

What did  the trial of 4-day workwee in New Zealand show?

What did surveys conducted in London before and after the experiment of 4-day workweek  find?

54% of employees had better balance of work and home responsibilities

"Studies and trials on the 4-day workweek have been conducted in several countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and others, with the UK hosting the world's biggest trial."

Studies and trials on the 4-day workweek have been conducted in several countries including the USA and Ireland, where positive effects on employee well-being were observed.

"Studies and trials on the 4-day workweek have been conducted in several countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and others, with the UK's pilot programme being one of the largest trials to date."

The 4-day workweek trial in the UK involves 70 companies with over 3,300 workers, who will work 80% of their normal hours with no reduction in pay.

61 UK companies participated in the 4-day workweek trial.

Title:

Content: UK companies test "4-day working week" workers generally agree that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages 51% permanent implementation
Author: Zhang Zijie
Published: Updated:
A number of UK companies are participating in a four-day workweek pilot scheme in the second half of 2022, with media reporting that most of the participating companies continue to allow employees to work fewer hours per week, and more than half of the companies have made the arrangement a regular measure.
The United Kingdom has 61 companies from marketing, professional services, non-profit organizations, construction, manufacturing, retail, health care, art and other industries, employees from June to December 2022, participate in the four-day work week, pay and performance of the same trial.
British citizens walk through the Canary Wharf Financial District on August 3, 2023. (Reuters)
As of the end of 2023, at least 89% of participating companies continued to maintain the measure, and at least 51% permanently implemented the measure, according to a report published by Autonomy, a think-tank that conducted the research.
The study found that shortening work hours generally benefits employees and businesses, who feel that their mental and physical health has improved, as well as a better balance between work and life, a better life, and less fatigue from work.
In addition, the managers and CEOs of the 28 participating companies unanimously agreed that the four-day work week has had a positive impact on the company, reducing staff wastage, significantly improving recruitment, and benefiting employees physically and mentally.
Sixty-one companies from different industries in the UK piloted a four-day work week in 2022, and the results were generally positive.
People enjoy a view of the City of London on 23 September 2023.
(Reuters)
The study, which listed a number of ways to maintain a four-day work week, including safety changes such as meetings, workplace communication, and work priorities, found that the improvements felt by employees continued for a year after the trial ended.
Researchers at Boston College, Cambridge, and Oxford University believe that the key to the strength of the data is not the rare or short-term impact, but the real and long-term impact.
Therefore, the four-day work week is not a flash in the sky, and British companies have succeeded in turning it into a permanent and effective measure.
Is the overall efficiency of returning less than one day of work declining instead of rising?
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The 4-day workweek trial in the UK involved 70 companies.

"A total of 61 UK companies participated in the 4-day workweek trial, with 56 of them intending to continue the shorter workweek."

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Content: From education to employment

Side hustles and four day work weeks on the rise

60% of UK workers consider taking on a side hustle in 2023and the popularity of the four-day working week could see that numbers grow

The latest findings from leading independent job board CV-Library reveal that 58.2% of UK workers are planning to take on a side hustle in 2023, driven by the twin priorities of job security (62%) and earning more money (38%).

As the cost of living continues to bite, 76.6% of those considering taking on a side-hustle this year are doing so because they want/need more money. The remainder (23.4%) are looking for additional job security in these unpredictable times.

With the world’s biggest trial of a four-day working week hailed a breakthrough success (56 out of 61 of the companies involved say they would continue offering a shorter week), more companies are predicted to follow suit. Employees following this working pattern will gain an extra day a week, which could be used to turn passions into side hustles. This might also fulfil the aim of keeping a main job secure while providing new ways to scratch a creative itch and supplement income amidst the cost-of-living increases.

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library comments:

“As the economic uncertainty looks set to continue, it’s understandable that so many employees are considering new ways to supplement their income while prioritising their job security.”

Biggins continues:

“With unemployment levels at record lows, supporting employees’ side hustles could boost staff loyalty and help retain key talent. However, there are grey areas that businesses need to be mindful of, particularly for those operating a four-day week. The benefits of increased motivation, productivity levels, and mental health along with reduced sickness levels could be counterproductive if staff are dedicating their downtime and attention to a side hustle.”

Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in Employability, Work and leadership

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Over 70 UK companies participated in the 4-day workweek trial by joining a scheme to alter their working week basis.

Title:

Content: The four-day work week is welcome, but some challenges remain

This shift has thrown up interesting questions on macro and micro levels that over time will need answering

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The sin of presenteeism is shaping up as a pre-pandemic anachronism, and the principal reason for this is not just remote working but an emerging historic global shift towards a shorter working week.

The global headaches from supply constraints following Covid-19 disruption have overshadowed equally profound changes in the labour market. For some bosses, there is rationing not just of the number of workers but the time they are willing to work. As people reassess their work-life balance, responsible employers and some countries are looking at the advantages of compressed hours on the job.

The UAE is a trailblazer in this regard, with most emirates having formally adopted a 4.5-day working model. Sharjah has gone further by opting for a four-day model. Reporting last week in this newspaper found that its residents said they are healthier and happier, enjoying more weekend flexibility and having more time with their families.

Many forecasts over recent years have been very wide of the mark about the economic trajectory of the big developed economies. The Resolution Foundation, a UK-based think tank that looks at work, points out that in analysing the pandemic, “many feared a house price bust, expected the inflation spike to be small/short-lived, said unemployment/insolvencies for workers/firms respectively would surge and claimed this would be a ‘she-cession’. None happened”.

Technology is the driver of all this, and the trend may over time become irresistible

Analysis of Google searches in the UK from an employment agency recently reported the four-day work week had gained popularity among people on the hunt for their next job opportunity. “Google searches for "4 day week jobs" exploded a spectacular 1,011 per cent in early 2022, when compared to 2021,” according to the firm’s research.

One of Britain’s biggest and best-known corporate brands, the department store M&S, has hired a well-known female executive who is a prominent four-day week champion, Katie Bickerstaffe. She said her role was compatible with shorter hours, even though it is a round-the-clock operation.

“We’re a seven-days-a-week, 24-hour operation and that’s what you do, but I’ve always done that [four days] because it gives me the freedom to spend some downtime with my kids and not feel that I don’t have the opportunity to do that during the week,” she explained.

The news coincided with the announcement that 70 UK companies had voluntarily joined a scheme to alter the working week basis of their business. Signing on to a pledge to pay 100 per cent of wages for 80 per cent of the hours worked means much more than just creating new rotas. It means altering the internal working patterns of the business and finding new ways to accommodate latency in the workforce.

Not everyone is convinced this can deliver a kind of workplace nirvana.

The Centre for Policy Studies carried out some research last year that estimated that a four-day week would have a big cost to the economy if productivity levels remained constant. The annual shortfall to the economy would be £45 billion ($55.42bn). On more generous calculations, if a 6 per cent increase in productivity could be achieved in the first decade of the reform, the loss overall could be pared back to £17bn. The analyst behind the figures believes the evidence for productivity gains from compressing hours and having shorter working weeks is extremely limited.

That is not much of an argument for not experimenting with shorter weeks. Employees already job-share and expect work-from-home arrangements throughout the work force. In office-based roles or project work, the flexibility to complete the workload that comes with the job most obviously lends itself to working with a defined, shorter time frame.

There are hurdles for other jobs. Customer-facing roles or service functions will still need to be provided across a far longer time-frame than four days or 32 hours. Unlike in Sharjah, there is no clear directive in the UK for a common day that extends the weekend. Indeed, many people working four days chose a non-consecutive day, such as Wednesday, for the non-working option.

Without the government plumping for Friday as part of a three-day weekend, it is likely that businesses will experience co-ordination both internally and with clients and supplies if substantial numbers in the workforce are missing in action for part of the working week.

There are also concerns around the equality of the development. Can it be true that more flexibility would allow women, in particular, to better balance childcare obligations and thus erode the disadvantage with men?

And as the work-from-home phenomenon has shown, the higher-paid employees have snapped up the main benefits from structural changes in how people work. There is little to suppose that this trend would not emerge from the four-day week.

Technology is, of course, the driver of all this, and the trend may over time become irresistible.

Certainly, the difficulties of drawing an absolute boundary between the working day and your time revolve around the fact that your email is always in your pocket on the phone. That is double-edged. It would be difficult for employers to play another card: offering people four days’ pay, not the salaried five.

Published: June 13, 2022, 4:00 AM

The 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the United Kingdom.

A 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the UK, resulting in increased productivity and other benefits.

Title:

Content: New normal | Will 2024 be the year of the four-day week boom? Probably not…

At one point in time, flexible working was a prime example of the benefits that truly had the power to lure and retain talent.

Those days are now behind us.

This isn’t because the prospect of working from home, or altering office hours around childcare or medical appointments isn’t still alluring. In fact, far from it. It’s because in the interim, the world experienced a massive shift. One that not only forced many businesses to adopt remote working policies or face the prospect of inactivity, but also changed the perceptions of workers about their careers, and the value of wellbeing in their working lives.

In a post-pandemic world, the concept of flexible working is largely considered a given. This is acutely true among companies that understand the persistent challenges in the talent market. So, where do we go from here? Where are those looking to push the boundaries of their benefits offering to turn? The answer is the four-day week.

You’ve likely heard the words ‘four-day week’ uttered at conferences, or read it plastered all over LinkedIn. In short, whilst there’s some variation in implementation, for most adopting a four-day week involves quite literally ditching one full working day. Employees work their normal hours, minus one fifth, and get paid the same amount for their effort.

The concept may sound ludicrous to some, yet the value of the idea goes far beyond simply being a valued benefit. Data from the largest trial ever to have taken place in the UK, as reported by Buffer, found that productivity among workers increased by 22%, job applications went up 88%, absenteeism went down by 66%. Employees are also reportedly less tired and happier.

So, we have an exciting new concept with stellar outcomes when trialled and the vast majority of businesses are yet to adopt it. Inevitably, this will be the next big thing in 2024, right? In reality, this is doubtful. Here’s why.

Whilst flexible working has been adopted en masse, let’s not forget the impetus that caused this boom – the pandemic. According to data from IPSE, the proportion of workers reporting they work exclusively at home rose from 5.7 per cent in January 2020 to 43.1 per cent in April 2020. Whilst flexible working was no new concept in early 2020, the pandemic served as the catalyst for huge change, convincing many traditionalists that ditching the nine-to-five and introducing remote working could actually work.

The pandemic was the biggest trial of such a concept in recent history. And herein lies the issue with the four-day week. Leaders need to be convinced. Yes, it’s likely that it will grow in 2024, but without a major shift in working culture to encourage those who dismiss it to give it a try, there’ll be no sudden boom. So no, 2024 will not be the ‘year of the four-day week’, but for early adopters, it could well be a vastly positive development.

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The 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the United Kingdom, involving 61 companies across various industries from June to December 2022.

A 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the UK, involving over 60 companies and 3,000 workers, with no loss of pay, as part of a pilot programme by 4 Day Week Global, the UK’s 4-Day Week Campaign, and Autonomy.

A 4-day workweek trial was conducted in the UK, involving 61 companies across different industries, and yielded generally positive results.

"The United Kingdom has seen an increase in businesses adopting a four-day workweek, with 21% of respondents adopting it for all staff in 2021, according to a survey by the University of Reading's Henley Business School."

The UK has conducted a four-day workweek trial, which is relevant to the question about countries that have successfully implemented such experiments.

The UK has successfully implemented a 4-day workweek experiment, with a six-month trial involving over 60 companies and almost 3,000 workers, resulting in no loss of pay for workers.

The 4-day workweek experiment has been successful in several developed countries, including the United Kingdom and Iceland, with studies showing that employees achieve the same levels of productivity while experiencing improved job satisfaction and work-life balance.

Title:

Content: To increase production and care for the family.
Saudi writer calls for "4" days of work and study
Journalist Omar Al-Omari calls for the application of the system of work and study for 4 days a week, considering that the subject has become worthy of study, as studies showed that employees who work (4) days a week achieved the same levels of productivity, but also showed positive levels in job satisfaction, teamwork and balance between work and caring for families, which increased their loyalty to the facilities in which they work.
Decreased motivation to be in the workplace
4 thoughts on “4 days a week?! ”
In Makkah newspaper, Al-Omari says: There is no relationship between productivity and the length of work, and the headquarters of the school is not the only place to learn, contributed by the presence of modern technology and advanced communication system, artificial intelligence and speed of information exchange and automation, all in its great purpose to serve man and save his time from daily routines, thus decreasing the need to be in the workplace. Innovative thinking, wider spaces of creative products and the acquisition of new skills to make real progress and development difference and impact, and this can only be achieved by creating a comfortable balance between social life and human humanity and the harsh official working environment. ”
Business Idea (4) days trending in recent months
While the idea of working for four days has been popular in recent months, and has been successful in a number of developed countries recently, it is not a product of the moment, so recent studies have shown that employees who are overworked by long work periods and transport to work are actually less productive than the average productivity of employees who work in the same field for less time and have more freedom.
Employees achieved the same levels of productivity
“Studies have shown that employees who work with the idea of   working four days a week achieved the same levels of productivity, but also showed positive levels of job satisfaction, teamwork, work-life balance and loyalty to the facilities in which they work.
People feel happy and satisfied
“I believe that the idea of working four days a week will increase some of the important global rankings as a soft power in enhancing the presence on the world map, namely (World Happiness Index), (World Wellbeing Index) and (Quality of Life), thus reflecting this on the ranking of the best cities and places to live in the world. Other contributing factors include additional income, social support, family empowerment, quality of health and education, security, absence of corruption and the level of freedoms enjoyed by individuals. ”
Greater care for families
According to several European research findings, working four days a week promotes work-life balance and greater personal and social space for the individual; employees will be able to spend more time with their families, better reconcile care and work obligations, be more committed to their tasks and duties, and less likely to be stressed or take sick leave; as a result, they return to work ready to face new challenges in solving problems. And promote the presence of innovation and creativity in the work to achieve efficiency and competition. ”
The subject is worth studying.
“I think the topic has become worthy of study at the level of the number of school days and the number of working days to enhance the quality of life, create wider social spaces, and enhance the happiness and mental health index, ” concluded Al-Omari.
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What did surveys conducted in London before and after the experiment of 4-day workweek  find?

54% of employees had better balance of work and home responsibilities

The United Kingdom has conducted a successful 4-day workweek experiment, resulting in increased productivity and job applications, as well as decreased absenteeism.

The UK's four-day workweek trial, involving 70 companies and over 3,300 workers, started on 6 June, 2022, with participants working 80% of their normal hours without a reduction in pay.

The UK's four-day workweek trial started on June 6, 2022, and lasted until December 2022, involving 61 companies across various industries.

The UK's four-day workweek trial started on 6 June, 2022, and involved 61 companies from various industries, yielding generally positive results.

The 4-day workweek study involved approximately 3,000 employees.

A 4-day workweek study involved 3,000 employees.

Title:

Content: From education to employment

Four day week – now more important to professionals than work socials

Say good-bye to work culture: Three quarters of professionals (71%) have stated that they would be willing to give up work socials and relationships with colleagues, in favour of a 4-day working week.

The findings come from a recent poll by leading recruiter Robert Walters, of 3,000+ working professionals – and highlights the ‘not-so appealing side’ of the 4-day week to employers, with office relationships taking the biggest hit.

Chris Poole – Managing Director of Robert Walters UK, comments:

“Workplaces have only just turned a corner and started to see more faces in the office – with that has come a burst of energy, collaboration, creativity, and productivity. It is a slight kick-in-the-teeth to hear that a progressive well-being initiative such as a 4-day week could have such a detrimental impact on workplace culture and business relationships.

“With the trials of 4-days being so new to many organisations, the long-term impact is hard to ascertain – but with 71% of professionals willing to forego socials and business relationships, companies should be mindful that poor company culture already costs the UK economy upwards of £20bn a year.

“As with what we experienced with remote working and then the move to hybrid, any change in the workplace brings about its challenges – and a 4-day week will be no different, business leaders need to tread with caution.”

Whilst professionals would give up the social side of their working lives, only 13% are inclined to forego hybrid work arrangements, and only 7% would sacrifice training opportunities in favour of less working days.

Entitlement at its Best?

According to the findings from Robert Walters, a staggering 91% of professionals would be keen for their employer to implement a 4-day week. In fact, a 4-day week now tops the poll on most desirable perks when applying for a job – with 49% stating that this would appeal to them most on a job description, followed by the ability to work from anywhere (35%).

With half of professionals who would like a 4-day week expecting their full pay to remain the same, debates have begun on whether the post-pandemic workforce are ‘the most entitled yet’ – with fewer professionals feeling responsibility for the financial health or stability of their employer.

Just 15% of professionals stated that they would take a 10-15% pay increase over the option of a 4-day week, and it seems office-based soft perks such as work socials or complimentary lunch or breakfasts, are less appealing in the face of fewer working days – with just 1% stating that they would opt for this over a 4-day working week.

Chris adds:

“It is absolutely right that workplaces should be held more accountable for the wellbeing of their employees, however professionals need to be considerate to the fact this responsibility goes both ways, and they have a duty to contribute to the success of a business, especially in this current period of economic uncertainty.”

The Hidden Data

Earlier this year the independent trail of 60+ companies and around 2,900 employees undertaking a 4-day week concluded – with many highlighting this as a resounding success.

However, when this data is combined with findings from the Robert Walters poll, it seems that possibly only one side of the picture has been painted, as a result it’s also important to consider the potentially negative outcomes of a change in working days.

Key findings from the 4-day Week Pilot Trail include:

  • Overall working hours only reduced by 4 hours – falling short of the 32 it was meant to achieve
  • 28% reported either working more hours, or no change to their 5-days a week hours
  • 49% reported no change in the typical amount of overtime they do – further 17% reported doing more overtime
  • 22% reported an increase in burnout-symptoms
  • 15% reported an increase in sleeping difficulties – further 45% stated that their sleeping quality hadn’t improved/changed significantly
  • 36% reported no-change to work-life balance – further 10% reported a decrease
  • 26% reported no change to work-ability – with 19% reporting a decrease
  • Just 2% stated workload had decreased – 20% reported an increase, and 78% reported no-change
  • 36% reported work-intensity had increased
  • 42% reported an increase in complexity of their work

Chris adds:

“Highlighting this data is by no means a way of pointing out that a 4-day week cannot work. Just as with every kind of trial, a balanced view of the results needs to be provided to assist us in understanding what does and doesn’t work. There is definitely a place for the 4-day working week in business but maybe it’s not the silver-bullet to increase productivity and improved wellbeing, as first thought.”

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