Tech Giant Gives Employees a Four-Day-Week – and They Work Much, Much Better!

Microsoft conducted an experiment in Japan last summer implementing a four-day workweek – and the results showed a 40% increase in labor productivity!

Microsoft Japan’s full-time employees were given every Friday off last August – with paid leave – as part of its “Work-Life Choice Challenge” project. The summer project examines work-life balance with a goal to help improve creativity and productivity through more flexible working hours.

A study by the Workforce Institute at Kronos and Future Workplace last year has shown that there’s a big demand for a shorter workweek. Most of the 3,000 workers surveyed across eight countries said their ideal workweek would be four days or less.

Aside from the employee productivity boost, Microsoft’s experiment also led to significantly less electricity consumption and printed papers last August in comparison to the one prior.