Revolutionizing Work-Life Balance: The Four-Day Workweek Boosts Productivity and Well-being, According to World's Largest Trial.

The pandemic has caused a lot of disruptions in our lives, but it has also created an opportunity for change. One area where change is happening is in the way we work. For the past two years, many people have been working from home, and now some employers are exploring the idea of a shorter workweek.

Key Takeaways:

1. Majority of Firms Plan to Adopt Four-Day Working Week Permanently - The study conducted by non-profit group 4 Day Week Global alongside the think tank Autonomy, the University of Cambridge and Boston College in the United States has found that more than nine out of ten firms will continue with the shortened working week or plan to do so.
2. Productivity Remains Steady Despite Shortened Working Week - Contrary to the common belief that reducing the workweek would harm productivity, the study found that productivity did not suffer from the lighter working weeks. In fact, the companies saw an average rise of 1.4% in revenue during the trial period.
3. Hiring Increased and Absenteeism Dropped - The study also found that hiring increased and absenteeism dropped, while the number of staff leaving fell sharply during the trial. This indicates that employees were more satisfied with their jobs and more motivated to work.

The world's biggest trial of a four-day workweek has just concluded, and the results are in: it works.

In the United Kingdom, over 70 companies participated in a six-month experiment that allowed almost 3,300 employees to work one day less per week while retaining the same salary. The study found that more than nine out of ten firms will continue with the shortened working week or plan to do so. Just 4% percent will not extend it.

The trial was organized by non-profit group 4 Day Week Global alongside the think tank Autonomy, the University of Cambridge , and Boston College in the United States. The study found that productivity did not suffer from the lighter working weeks, with company revenue rising 1.4% on average over the trial. Revenue jumped 35% on average when compared with similar periods from previous years.

The study also found that hiring increased and absenteeism dropped, while the number of staff leaving fell sharply during the trial. In addition, researchers concluded that the overall health and well-being of employees had improved. "Significant" increases were observed in physical and mental health, time spent exercising, and overall life and job satisfaction. Rates of stress, burnout, and fatigue all fell, while problems with sleep declined.

Some Benefits of a Four-Day Work Week

The success of global trials of the four-day work week was followed by the biggest single-country trial to date in the UK, which involved 73 companies and 3,300 employees. The results of all these trials were strikingly similar: working four days for five days' pay brought benefits to both employers and workers.

Happier and Healthier Workers

The global trials showed that the four-day workweek not only benefited employers but also had a positive impact on workers' well-being. More than 90% of the employees who participated in the trials expressed their desire to continue with the shortened working week, rating their experience at an average of 9.1 out of 10.

The trials also revealed a decrease in measures of employee stress, burnout, fatigue, and work-family conflict. Additionally, workers reported improved physical and mental health, work-life balance, and increased overall life satisfaction. Furthermore, people reported that they had more time to exercise and sleep, which contributed to their improved health and well-being. The UK study also showed positive results for families, with male workers spending 27% more time looking after their children.

In the UK trial, workers putting in 32 hours a week have been getting an average of 7.58 hours of sleep a night, nearly a full hour more than those working 40 hours. And the share of those who would be classified as sleep-deprived dropped from around 43% to less than 15%. Since they don't have to cram so much into each day, they no longer have to sacrifice sleep to get everything in their lives done.

"In terms of employees, their mental health improved, they got better sleep, they got less burnt out," Says Cambridge University's Professor Brendan Burchell. "But at the same time, the companies reported that if there were changes in their profits or their performance, if anything they were more likely to go up rather than down. And we got lots of very happy people, people really enjoyed it; they found it such a reward to have three-day weekends instead of two-day weekends."

Working fewer hours is proving to have other benefits for people's bodies and minds. In Iceland, employees reported less stress and burnout and better health and work/life balance. They spent more time exercising, taking care of household chores, running errands, engaging in hobbies, and spending time with family and friends. As one participant put it, reducing hours "shows increased respect for the individual. That we are not just machines that just work… We are persons with desires and private lives, families, and hobbies."

Higher Productivity: Results from Global Trials

Over the past few years, there has been a growing interest in the idea of a four-day work week. In 2019, Microsoft Japan introduced a four-day work week and reported an impressive 40% boost in productivity. This result is not unique, as similar results have been observed in global trials conducted in 2022, where employees committed to covering 100% of their normal work in 80% of the time.

According to the results of these global trials, employers rated improved productivity during the trial at 7.7 out of 10. One employee in the Irish trial testified that the four-day work week made her more careful with her calendar and helped her prioritize her work week. She said, "I guess I've been a lot more careful with my calendar. It is one thing in terms of planning, focus time, or identifying my priorities for the work week… not accepting every meeting that comes in."

These results are a testament to the fact that working fewer hours does not necessarily lead to a decline in productivity. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. By giving employees more time to focus and prioritize their work, a four-day work week can help boost productivity and lead to better outcomes for both employees and employers.

A Greener Future: The Environmental Benefits of a Four-Day Work Week

In addition to its positive impact on productivity and employee well-being, a four-day work week also has benefits for the planet. According to global trials involving over 60 firms and 3,000 employees, reducing the work week did lead to a decrease in commuting time. The average weekly commute time dropped from 3.5 hours to 2.6 hours, a reduction of 27%.

Surprisingly, the trials also showed that the number of employees commuting by car actually decreased, from 56.5% to 52.5%. This may be due to the increased adoption of remote work, but researchers also noted a small but significant increase in eco-friendly behaviors like household recycling, walking, and cycling, as well as purchasing of sustainable products.

These findings align with an earlier study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst , which found that reducing working hours by 10% can reduce an individual's carbon footprint by 8.6%. This led lead researcher and economist, Juliet Schor, to assert that a shorter working week can play a significant role in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

As we continue to face the pressing challenges of climate change, adopting a four-day work week can be a practical and effective way for companies to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Final Thoughts

While the evidence shows that a four-day work week can lead to higher productivity, happier employees, and a positive impact on the environment, there are still some barriers to its adoption in Australia.

One of the main challenges is the cultural perception of work. The traditional five-day work week has been the norm for many years, and it can be difficult to change attitudes and behaviours. Additionally, some employers may be hesitant to adopt a four-day work week due to concerns about decreased revenue and the potential impact on clients and customers.

There are also practical challenges such as scheduling and workload distribution. For some industries, it may be difficult to accommodate a compressed workweek without compromising on quality or customer service. However, with more and more companies around the world trialling and adopting a four-day work week, it may only be a matter of time before it becomes more widespread in Australia. As attitudes towards work and work-life balance continue to shift, employers may see the value in offering more flexible working arrangements to attract and retain top talent.

Overall, the benefits of a four-day work week cannot be ignored, and it is important for employers and employees alike to consider how this approach could benefit both their personal and professional lives.