4-Day Week: Fact or Fantasy?

Did you start your accounting practice to work less?

I know I did and to give me the freedom to work anywhere.

But have you ended up working lots more?

Emails at 9 p.m.

Back-to-back meetings.

Deadlines that never seem to end.

It’s no wonder burnout is the word on everyone’s lips.

But what if the 4-day week wasn’t just a fantasy?

What if it was a smarter, proven way to work better?

The Reality of the 4-Day Week

Pre covid lots thought remote working wasn't possible.

But businesses were forced to accept it works.

And now we are transtioning to the 4 day week.

The sky hasn’t fallen in.

In fact surveys show companies are seeing:

- Higher productivity.

- Happier employees.

- Staff retention

- Better client satisfaction.

So, why isn’t everyone doing it?

The fear of change.

The “what ifs” hold people back.

- What if we miss deadlines?

- What if clients are unhappy?

- What if the team can’t keep up?

Let’s be honest—change can feel risky.

But staying stuck in the old ways?

That’s the real risk.

The Case for the 4-Day Week

Here’s the thing:

It’s not about cramming 5 days into 4.

It’s about working smarter.

- Cut the unnecessary meetings.

- Automate the repetitive tasks (hello, AI!).

- Focus on what truly drives value.

The results speak for themselves.

A pilot programme in the UK found:

- 92% of companies kept the 4-day model.

- Revenue stayed steady—or even grew.

- Employees were healthier, happier, and more engaged.

But what about client expectations?

This is the big one, isn’t it?

Here’s the good news:

You don’t have to disappear from clients’ lives.

- Be available over 5 days by spreading team hours.

- Use AI and automation to maintain responsiveness.

- Deliver focused, high-quality work that clients will notice and appreciate.

It’s not about doing less it’s about working smarter.

How to Make the Transition

Step 1: Start small.

Don’t overhaul everything at once.

Set realistic goals, like saving an hour each week by the end of Q1 2025.

Build from there.

Step 2: Communicate.

Be transparent with your team and clients.

Explain why this change is happening and what it means for them.

Inspire your clients to do the same, we know how hard they work.

Step 3: Trust your team.

Give them the tools and freedom to manage their time.

With less burnout, they’ll surprise you with how much they can achieve.

A Little Secret

The 4-day week isn’t just about the team.

It’s about you too.

Imagine having an extra day to:

- Plan your next move.

- Travel (weekends that start on Thursday, anyone?).

- Recharge properly.

It’s a game-changer.

But let’s not pretend.

There will be challenges.

It takes planning.

It takes commitment.

It takes a willingness to rethink how you work.

Feeling unsure?

That’s okay.

Big changes always feel a bit scary at first.

But the payoff?

- A happier, more engaged team.

- A business that runs like clockwork.

- Extra time for yourself to focus on what truly matters.

Ready to decide if the 4-day week is fact or fantasy for you?

I’m Marie and I help businesses rethink the way they work using AI and automation.

Let’s take a helicopter view of your practice and explore how a 4-day week could work for you.

DM me I’ve got two slots left for strategy sessions in January 2025.

Because the future of work isn’t about doing more.

It’s about working smarter and loving your life.