4-Day Workweek: a Massive Success!

Following a six-month trial of a four-day workweek conducted in the United Kingdom, results show that one day less in the office every week benefits companies, employees, and the environment.

“We have absolutely no concerns,” says Sinéad Crowther, co-founder of Soothing Solutions, about the negative impact a four-day week might have on business, even as the company grows. “It probably sounds crazy, but it works.”

Initiated by 4 Day Week Global, a nonprofit community platform, the UK trial took place alongside similar pilot programs in Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. The real-world experiment – four days of work, or 32 hours per week, with no loss of pay – proved that employees are as productive 80% of the time. The 33 companies tested the shift with positive results. Employees saw an improvement in their health and well-being, companies saw a boost in revenue, and the environment saw a reduction in carbon emissions. A post-trial survey shows that almost all 495 employees involved wanted to maintain the four-day working week. Companies are also on-board since they don’t suffer losses on the human or economic level. More companies are looking to join the movement.