Recent studies on the benefits of a four-day workweek suggest that it may be time to rethink traditional work schedules and embrace more flexible, efficient approaches.

The Future of Jobs Report published by the World Economic Forum in 2020 predicted that remote work and flexible schedules would become more prevalent in the near future. In 2022, a not-for-profit organization called 4 Day Week Global conducted trials with employers in Ireland, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand to test the effectiveness of a four-day workweek. The results were encouraging and prompted a larger-scale trial in the UK with 73 companies and 3,300 employees. The benefits of a four-day workweek were consistently positive across all trials.

Higher Productivity The most significant benefit of a four-day workweek is the boost in productivity that it provides.

Microsoft Japan implemented a four-day workweek in 2019 and reported a 40% increase in productivity. The global trials conducted by 4 Day Week Global in 2022 showed that employees were able to cover 100% of their normal work in 80% of the time. Employers rated improved productivity during the trial 7.7 out of 10. Employees were more focused, efficient, and better able to prioritize their workload with a shorter workweek.

Happier Workers Working fewer hours resulted in happier employees with improved work-life balance and better physical and mental health.

The global trials showed that more than 90% of employees wanted to continue with the four-day workweek and rated their experience 9.1 out of 10. Measures of stress, burnout, fatigue, and work/family conflict all declined. While some employees worked on their day off, they still felt more productive and were doing a better job. The UK study showed that male workers spent 27% more time looking after their children, leading to better family relationships.

Better for the Planet With one less day at work, commuting time per week fell from 3.5 hours to just under 2.6 hours, a 27% reduction.

Researchers found that there was an overall reduction in the number of employees commuting by car, from 56.5% to 52.5%. This reduction was partly due to remote working, but there were other signs that employees were becoming more environmentally conscious. Time spent on household recycling, walking, cycling, and buying eco-friendly products saw a small but significant increase. A study by the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that a 10% reduction in working hours could cut an individual’s carbon footprint by 8.6%.

Here to Stay? The four-day week trials were overwhelmingly positive, with 97% of employees saying they would like it to become permanent in their organization.

Employers were also positive, with 92% of those who took part in the UK trial continuing with the four-day workweek. The trials showed that companies’ revenues increased by approximately 8% over the trial period and were 37.55% higher than the same period in 2021. Hiring was up, absenteeism was down, and even the number of people quitting declined slightly. However, seven out of 10 employees said they would demand a pay increase of between 10% and 50% if they were expected to work five days a week. This highlights the importance of employers embracing more flexible, efficient work schedules to retain talent.

Furthermore, offering a four-day week can have positive effects on employee morale and engagement, which can translate to better customer service and increased profitability for businesses. When employees are happier and less stressed, they are more likely to go above and beyond in their work and provide a better experience for customers.

In conclusion, the concept of a four-day workweek is gaining traction around the world as evidence shows it benefits both employees and employers.

With higher productivity, happier workers, and potential cost savings on commuting and energy usage, businesses can achieve a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent, improving customer service, and ultimately increasing profitability. As the nature of work continues to evolve with digitalization and remote work, it may be time for businesses to consider adopting a four-day week as a way to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the marketplace.