Is 4-day workweek effective?

Do shorter workdays increase an organisation's total output?

A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom indicates that the four-day workweek plan has advantages for both employers and individuals, ABC News reported.

At least 89% of the 61 UK enterprises, which took part in the four-day pilot study, continued with the structural change even a year later.

Among the favourable outcomes of the study, which was released this week, were increased productivity, happier employees and lower turnover rates.

The 2022 study, conducted by the think tank Autonomy alongside the 4-Day Week Campaign and 4-Day Week Global, began as a six-month trial that extended to one year and, in some cases, was made permanent.

In place of the conventional five-day, 40-hour workweek model, the participating firms committed to completing 100% of the typical workload in 80% of the allotted time, resulting in a 32-hour workweek that carries no pay decrease.

After one year, 51% of the companies decided to implement the four-day workweek permanently, and 89% decided to continue the structure throughout the year.

The study found that 100% of managers and chief executive officers (CEO) from the participating organisations said in a follow-up poll that the four-day workweek had a "positive" or "very positive" impact on their organisation.

When researchers asked what the four-day structure had changed, 82% of the surveyed companies reported positive impacts on staff well-being.

According to the survey, 32% of respondents claimed the policy had significantly increased their recruitment efforts, and 50% saw benefits in reducing staff turnover. Employees of the participating companies reported feeling the advantages of the four-day workweek both in and outside of the office in a follow-up study.