Is a 4 day work week the future of work?

Is a 4 day work week the future of work?

Dan Smith Dan Smith

Dan Smith

Helping CEOs, HR Executives and Boards identify and attract exceptional Executive Leadership and Interim Executive talent.

发布日期: 2022年8月8日
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Since the start of the Covid pandemic, there has been a significant shift in the way in which people work. Many industries have embraced flexible working which includes fully remote working or a hybrid model of some days in the office and some days from home.

The newest concept being explored is the possibility of moving from the traditional 5 day work week to a 4 day work week with same pay and same output but with 1 less working day.?

There has been a number of trials conducted around the world and one such study in the UK, the largest 4 day work week trial is currently underway.


So what are the benefits?

  1. Employees work/life balance. Healthier and happier people should lead to better retention.
  2. Less employee burnout.
  3. More productive work. Whilst this might sound counterintuitive, healthier and happier people should be more productive.
  4. Social and environmental benefits of less commuters. There would also be less people in the office potentially reducing organisational overheads by allowing them to reduce their office space.


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What are the potential downsides?

  1. There may very well be a productivity drop.
  2. “In 1988, Japan shortened the workweek from 46 to 30 hours. Productivity did not increase enough to compensate, and economic output between 1988 and 1996 was 20% lower than it otherwise would have been”.
  3. It has the potential to further inequality. Some employees will always be more productive than others. Reducing the number of work days will likely see these people still producing the same output which may lead to increased stress.
  4. There is a link between reduced working hours and increased part-time employment. This is typically associated with lower pay and less secure jobs.
  5. Labour shortage - reducing working hours has the potential to exacerbate the shortage of labour.


A four-day workweek probably sounds great to many employees but as with anything, the success lies in the execution to make sure it works for both employees and organisations.

Would you consider a 4 day work week for your organisation? Yes or no? Let me know and the reasons in the comments below.


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Petrina Fraccaro

CEO and Managing Director Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Limited and Trusted Care GAICD MFIA MAIFPL

2 年

Felxible workplaces are critical to helping people maintain work life balance but I am concerned that this only applies for those who work in traditional office positions. The key to rolling this out is to include provision for those whose work does not usually accommodate flexibility. Organisations must be inclusive of all employees in any structural HR changes.

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Cam Marling

Husband | Father | Product Manager

2 年

With the right framework and right working conditions the 4-day work week can thrive. The 100-80-100 model has been successful in progressive Scandinavian nations – 100% of the pay, 80% of the time, but critically in exchange for 100% of the productivity. This model honours the shift towards a better work-life balance as long as the employee achieves their previous production rates. However, I'm not sure this model can work for deskless workers which is a significant percentage of the global workforce.

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