Exploring the Benefits: How the Four-Day Workweek Boosts Employee Experience

The largest-ever trial of a four-day workweek has found that it leads to better work-life balance, less stress, and improved product quality.

In the past, the notion of a four-day workweek was viewed as an unattainable workplace perk that would never become mainstream. However, as a growing number of international trials demonstrate its efficacy, the tide is beginning to turn. Surprisingly, it appears that accomplishing more may actually involve working less. This was revealed through a trial initiative hailed as the most extensive four-day workweek experiment globally.

The largest-ever trial of a four-day workweek, which involved 2,900 employees from 61 firms in the United Kingdom and took place between June and December of 2022, has published its comprehensive findings. A range of four-day workweek models, including staggered, decentralized, annualized, and leaving Fridays free, were employed. The study discovered that the four-day workweek led to a substantial improvement in job satisfaction, better work-life balance, and a reduction in worker stress. Additionally, the results indicated enhanced product quality and customer service, as well as a significant drop in employee absenteeism and sick leave.

As per the findings of the trial, 92% of the firms that took part will continue with the four-day workweek model. Furthermore, more than 90% of workers expressed a strong desire to persist with their reduced workweek schedule.

According to a survey by Monster of 868 employees carried out in March, 61% of participants indicated a preference for a four-day workweek as opposed to the conventional five-day schedule. Additionally, 33% of respondents stated that they would quit their current job if offered an option for a reduced workweek.

As organizations face a difficult economic environment, they may consider exploring the possibility of a shortened workweek as an alternative to granting salary hikes or promotions. A recent report by Payscale indicated that the proportion of firms offering a four-day workweek benefit has now reached 10%, a first-time milestone. This suggests that more companies may consider this option as they search for innovative ways to improve the employee experience while managing costs.

“Employees are looking for flexibility,” said Payscale pay equity analyst Ruth Thomas, “potentially as they continue to experience a decline in real wage growth [and] seeing themselves working longer hours, they’re seeking some level of return.”

Shortened workweeks are increasingly being utilized as a recruitment strategy by organizations worldwide.

Australian Companies Increase Job Ads for Four-Day Workweek to Attract Employees

To gain a competitive advantage in a labor market plagued by acute shortages, companies in Australia are increasingly offering four-day workweeks as an incentive for potential employees. The percentage of job advertisements that specified a shortened workweek has increased by 50% in early 2023 compared to pre-pandemic averages. This statistic suggests that more companies are exploring the possibility of this alternative working arrangement to attract and retain top talent. 

“Australia’s post-pandemic recovery has been marked by incredible labor demand from employers, as well as concerns over mental health and burnout among workers,” said Callam Pickering, Asia-Pacific economist at global recruitment site Indeed Inc. “It makes sense that some employers may be willing to offer greater flexibility to attract staff.”

As employees across the globe display an increased inclination toward more flexible working arrangements, such as remote work, which proved to be effective during lockdowns, the report’s release is particularly timely. The outcomes of a U.K.-based trial of the four-day workweek included increased revenues, reduced employee turnover, and a lower incidence of burnout, prompting most participating firms to adopt the new approach on a permanent basis.

In March, lawmakers in Australia expressed support for exploring the possibility of a shorter workweek, underscoring a growing appetite for more flexible working arrangements. This move followed a comprehensive study conducted last year across American, Irish, and Australian firms that found implementing a reduced workweek resulted in increased company revenues and employee productivity, while also reducing absenteeism and staff turnover.

The U.K. is following in Australia’s footsteps, as employers seek to attract and retain Gen Z workers amid an ongoing staff shortage crisis. Many are offering “early finish Fridays” to fill vacant positions. 

According to the online jobs portal Adzuna, job postings offering shorter working hours on Fridays have sharply increased, allowing employees to start their weekends a few hours earlier. In March, there were 1,426 ads on the site mentioning “early finish Friday,” compared to only 583 in the same month five years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic altered working patterns.

“For job-seekers, a company offering early-finish Fridays signals that they are flexible in their attitude to working hours and care about their employees’ well-being—two factors of utmost importance in today’s jobs market,” said Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna.

The trend of offering a four-day workweek as a recruitment incentive is gaining momentum, with more companies exploring the possibility of adopting this alternative working arrangement. The post-pandemic labor market has heightened concerns over mental health and burnout among workers, prompting some employers to offer greater flexibility to attract and retain staff.

The 4-Day Work Week Improves the Employee Experience

The trial of a four-day workweek shows that many employers want to reduce costs, keep their workers, and improve their well-being. This option is becoming more popular, and some companies are considering making it a permanent change instead of just trying it out. This could become the new standard for how work is done.

Prior to and following the trial, research conducted revealed that 39% of employees experienced a decrease in stress levels, while 71% reported a reduction in burnout as a result of working a shortened week. Additionally, employees reported a decrease in anxiety, fatigue, and sleep issues, while both physical and mental health significantly improved.

During the trial, a majority of workers reported having an easier time balancing work and outside responsibilities, leading to an increase in overall life satisfaction. The findings also indicated that the physical and mental health of employees improved. Additionally, employee retention improved significantly, with the share of staff leaving participating companies dropping by 57% over the trial period.

“What has come out of it is, it means companies have the confidence to continue on and keep changing and improving what they’re doing to make sure they can keep reduced hours for their businesses in the long term,” 4 Day Week co-founder Charlotte Lockhart told CBS MoneyWatch. 

Despite the compelling evidence in support of a four-day workweek, the practical reality is that not all industries are presently equipped to adopt this model. While some major global companies like Microsoft in Japan and Unilever in New Zealand have conducted successful trials of the four-day workweek, many large organizations have been slow to adopt this trend.

Although the evidence supporting a four-day workweek is compelling, there are still some challenges that need to be taken into account before it can be widely adopted. Employers must carefully evaluate the pros and cons of such a policy and take into consideration the unique needs of their employees before making any decisions.

At present, the four-day workweek may not be prevalent, but there is a growing global momentum to continue experimenting with it. Small and medium-sized businesses are at the forefront of this trend, and even larger companies are starting to pay attention.