Productive and happier, employees on four-day workweek declare

Employees working on a four-day workweek have seen their average weekly work hours drop from a baseline of 38 hours to 32.97. More importantly, the productivity and happiness levels of these employees remain high, says 4 Day Week Global.

The non-profit organisation, which advocates for a four-day workweek as a part of the future of work, was reporting after the end of a year-long trial of a four-day workweek pilot programme. According to 4 Day Week Global, the reduction in working hours was achieved by organisations operating more efficiently as capabilities improved, rather than employees having to cram five days of work tasks into four. Employees’ experience with the four-day week also remained highly positive, with many reporting improved physical and mental health, as well as a better work-life balance.

For Kickstarter, a US-based non-profit, which launched their four-day workweek trial in 2021, employee retention has improved by more than 20%. Jon Leland, Chief Strategy Officer at Kickstarter, explained, “We’ve seen very few people choose to depart the company since the implementation of our four-day week. This has dramatically improved our ability to meet objectives and key results every quarter.”

READ MORE: Employers in Australia and New Zealand embrace four-day workweek

Dr Dale Whelehan, CEO of 4 Day Week Global, added, “We’re delighted to see the positive experience people continue to have with the four-day week beyond the conclusion of our pilot programme.” He cited a concern raised amongst critics about the lack of feasibility to maintain the results from their earlier six-month trials as time went on, but the yearlong extension saw them grow beyond the initial positive results. “This is very promising for the sustainability of this model, and we look forward to tracking companies’ experiences well into the future.”