The 4-Day Work Week: How Shorter Workweeks Create Happier Teams and Better Results

Are you tired of the traditional five-day grind? Imagine giving your employees an extra day off each week while maintaining—or even improving—productivity. The 4-day work week isn’t just a pipe dream; it’s becoming a viable option for forward-thinking small and medium-sized businesses looking to transform their workplace culture.

What Exactly Is a 4-Day Work Week?

The 4-day work week is exactly what it sounds like: employees work four days instead of the traditional five while receiving the same pay. However, there’s more than one way to implement this schedule.

Common 4-Day Work Week Models

4×8 Model: Employees work four 8-hour days (32 hours total) for the same pay as a 40-hour week
4×10 Model: Employees work four 10-hour days, maintaining 40 hours per week
Staggered Schedules: Different teams take different days off to ensure continuous coverage
Seasonal Variations: Implementing 4-day weeks during specific times of year (summer months, holidays)

This concept isn’t entirely new, but it has gained significant momentum in recent years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to reconsider traditional work arrangements. Companies worldwide began experimenting with alternative schedules as remote work demonstrated that productivity doesn’t necessarily correlate with time spent at a desk.

Several countries have conducted large-scale trials, including Iceland, Japan, Spain, and the UK. Iceland’s trials between 2015 and 2019 involved over 2,500 workers (about 1% of the country’s workforce) and were deemed an “overwhelming success,” with productivity maintained or improved in most workplaces.

How Employees Benefit From a Shorter Work Week

Enhanced Well-being and Mental Health

When Microsoft Japan tested a 4-day work week in 2019, they reported a 40% increase in productivity. But the benefits extend far beyond output metrics. Employees with a 4-day schedule consistently report:

Lower stress levels and reduced symptoms of burnout
Decreased anxiety and improved mood
Better work-life balance with more time for family, hobbies, and personal projects
Improved sleep patterns and recovery time

One employee from a UK company participating in a 4-day work week trial shared: “Having Fridays off has allowed me to schedule appointments, run errands, and decompress before the weekend even begins. I come back on Monday feeling genuinely refreshed rather than dreading the week ahead.”

Physical Health Improvements

The extra day off provides tangible physical health benefits:

More time for exercise and outdoor activities
Reduced commuting time, which lowers exposure to stress and pollution
Lower rates of sick leave and health-related absences
Improved eating habits with more time to prepare healthy meals

A study by the University of Reading found that workers on 4-day schedules reported a 71% reduction in feelings of fatigue and a significant increase in physical activity levels.

Boosted Job Satisfaction

Perhaps most importantly for employers, shortened work weeks dramatically improve how employees feel about their jobs:

Higher morale and stronger team relationships
Increased engagement during working hours
Greater loyalty to the company
Improved focus and creativity

Why Employers Should Consider Making the Switch

Productivity and Performance Gains

Contrary to what you might expect, working fewer days doesn’t necessarily mean getting less done. Many companies report that productivity remains stable or even improves with a 4-day schedule because:

Employees are more focused and efficient during their working hours
Meetings become more purposeful and streamlined
Workers take fewer sick days and unplanned absences
Teams develop more efficient workflows and eliminate unnecessary tasks

Perpetual Guardian, a New Zealand company, found that after implementing a 4-day work week, not only did productivity maintain, but team engagement increased from 68% to 88%.

Talent Attraction and Retention

In today’s competitive job market, offering a 4-day work week can be a powerful recruitment tool:

Stands out in job postings and attracts more qualified candidates
Appeals to diverse talent pools, including parents and caregivers
Reduces employee turnover and associated costs
Creates a reputation as an innovative, employee-focused company

Buffer, a social media management company, implemented a 4-day work week in 2020 and reported a 91% happiness rate among employees, with improved retention rates.

Cost Savings and Revenue Potential

A shorter work week can positively impact your bottom line through:

Reduced operational costs (electricity, office supplies, etc.)
Lower healthcare costs due to improved employee well-being
Decreased turnover-related expenses
Potential revenue growth from improved service quality and innovation

When Awin, a global affiliate marketing network, moved to a 4-day week, they saw a 5% increase in client satisfaction scores and a 10% reduction in staff turnover.

Environmental and Social Advantages

Positive Environmental Impact

Reducing the work week by one day can have meaningful environmental benefits:

Lower carbon emissions from commuting (20% reduction in travel days)
Reduced energy consumption in office buildings
Decreased paper and resource usage
Smaller carbon footprint overall

A study by the 4 Day Week Campaign found that shifting to a 4-day work week in the UK would reduce carbon emissions by 127 million tons per year—equivalent to taking 27 million cars off the road.

Community and Social Benefits

The ripple effects of a 4-day work week extend beyond individual companies:

Employees have more time for community involvement and volunteering
Improved family relationships and childcare options
More balanced distribution of economic activity throughout the week
Support for local businesses as people have more time to shop, dine, and engage in leisure activities

How to Successfully Implement a 4-Day Work Week

Key Success Factors

Transitioning to a 4-day work week requires thoughtful planning and execution:

Clear Communication and Leadership Support

Involve employees in planning discussions from the beginning
Clearly articulate expectations and goals
Ensure leadership models appropriate behavior (not sending emails on days off)
Provide regular updates and opportunities for feedback

Redesigned Work Processes

Audit and eliminate unnecessary meetings and tasks
Implement productivity tools and automation where possible
Establish clear priorities and deadlines
Create communication protocols for off days

Outcome Measurement

Define success metrics before implementation
Track productivity, employee satisfaction, and customer feedback
Conduct regular check-ins and make adjustments as needed
Compare results to pre-implementation benchmarks

Overcoming Common Challenges

Industry-Specific Considerations

Not all businesses can implement a 4-day work week in the same way. Consider these adaptations:

Industry	Potential Adaptation
Retail/Service	Staggered schedules to maintain coverage
Healthcare	Compressed shifts or rotating days off
Manufacturing	Split shifts or seasonal implementation
Client Services	Clear communication about availability and emergency protocols

Addressing Management Concerns

Some common objections and their solutions:

“We can’t afford to lose a day of productivity”: Start with a trial period to demonstrate that productivity often remains stable or improves.
“Our customers expect five-day availability”: Implement staggered schedules or create clear protocols for urgent matters.
“How will we measure if it’s working?”: Establish clear KPIs before implementation and track them consistently.

Real-World Success Stories

Global Trials and Their Results

Iceland

Iceland conducted the world’s largest trial of reduced working hours between 2015 and 2019. Workers maintained or increased productivity while reporting improved well-being. The trial was so successful that 86% of Iceland’s workforce now has the right to reduced hours.

Japan

Microsoft Japan’s trial resulted in a 40% productivity increase, 23% reduction in electricity costs, and 59% decrease in printed pages. The government now officially recommends companies adopt a 4-day work week.

United Kingdom

A 2022 UK trial involving 70 companies and 3,300 workers found that 86% of participating organizations planned to keep the 4-day week after the trial ended. Revenue increased by 1.4% on average during the trial period.

Small Business Success Stories

It’s not just large corporations or government programs seeing benefits:

Elephant Ventures, a software company with 23 employees, switched to a 4-day, 40-hour week and reported higher productivity and employee satisfaction.
Wildbit, a small software company, has maintained a 4-day, 32-hour week since 2017 with continued growth and profitability.
Perpetual Guardian, a New Zealand estate planning firm with 240 employees, made their 4-day week permanent after a successful trial showed maintained productivity and 45% improvement in work-life balance.

Practical Implementation Steps

Starting With a Pilot Program

For most small and medium businesses, a gradual approach works best:

Plan a 3-6 month trial period: This provides enough time to work through initial challenges while limiting risk.
Set clear success criteria: Define what metrics will determine whether the program continues.
Prepare your team: Provide training on productivity techniques and time management.
Communicate with stakeholders: Inform clients, vendors, and partners about the new schedule.
Document everything: Keep detailed records of what works, what doesn’t, and any unexpected outcomes.

Focusing on Outcomes Rather Than Hours

A successful 4-day work week requires a shift in mindset:

Evaluate employees based on results rather than time spent working
Encourage work completion rather than presenteeism
Trust employees to manage their time effectively
Develop systems to handle urgent matters on off days

One HR director at a company that successfully implemented a 4-day week shared: “We had to completely rethink how we measured success. Instead of asking ‘did you work your hours?’ we started asking ‘did you accomplish what needed to be done?'”

Communication Strategies

Clear communication is essential:

Update email signatures, voicemail messages, and website information to reflect new hours
Create templates for out-of-office responses that explain your schedule
Establish protocols for urgent matters that arise on off days
Schedule regular check-ins with clients to ensure their needs are being met

The Future of Work Is Flexible

The evidence is clear: a 4-day work week can benefit employees, employers, communities, and the environment. As more businesses experiment with this model and share their results, we’re likely to see continued growth in adoption.

For small and medium businesses, the 4-day work week offers a unique opportunity to compete with larger companies for talent while potentially improving productivity and reducing costs. It represents a win-win scenario where employees gain better work-life balance and employers gain more engaged, productive teams.

The pandemic has already shifted our understanding of what’s possible in terms of flexible work arrangements. The 4-day work week is the next logical step in creating workplaces that prioritize both human well-being and business success.

Whether you implement a 4×8 model, a 4×10 schedule, or a hybrid approach, the key is to focus on outcomes rather than hours. When employees have the time and space to rest, recharge, and engage with their lives outside of work, they bring more energy, creativity, and commitment to their jobs.

Are you ready to reimagine the workweek at your company? Start with a pilot program, measure the results, and you might be surprised at how a day less work can lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Additional Resources

4 Day Week Global – Non-profit organization supporting businesses transitioning to 4-day weeks
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Resources on flexible work arrangements
Microsoft Japan Case Study
UK 4-Day Week Pilot Program Results
CrewHR Scheduling Tools – Software to help manage flexible work schedules

By carefully planning and implementing a 4-day work week, your business can join the growing ranks of organizations creating more sustainable, productive, and satisfying work environments. The future of work isn’t just about where we work—it’s about when and how we work, too.