A
six-month test in the U.K. involving 61 companies and 2,900 employees
showed that working four days instead of five, with the same pay, led to improved employee well-being without damaging productivity.
The study, conducted by Autonomy with advocacy groups 4 Day Week Global and 4 Day Week Campaign, found that 71% of respondents reported lower levels of burnout, and 39% reported being less stressed.
- Companies experienced 65% fewer sick and personal days being taken, and the number of resignations declined by more than half.
- Despite employees reporting for fewer hours, companies’ revenues were not hurt.
- The
study suggests that a four-day workweek could be a tool to enhance
employee well-being, and making that change would not harm workers’
career prospects or income.
- Companies from different
industries, including online retailers, financial services firms,
and animation studios participated in the pilot program.
- Each company got to choose how to enforce its four-day week.
- 92%
of the companies said they would continue experimenting with the
four-day week, with 18 companies choosing to maintain their reduced
working hours permanently.
