A recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour has concluded that a four-day work week, while maintaining the same pay, significantly boosts employee happiness, health, and productivity. The research involved trials conducted over six months across 141 organisations in countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and the US, encompassing 2,896 employees.
The study’s authors, Wen Fan and Juliet Schor, analysed work and health indicators—like burnout, job satisfaction, and mental and physical health—before and after the trials. They noted a significant reduction in burnout levels and an increase in job satisfaction and mental health among employees who had their working hours reduced by eight hours or more per week compared to those on a traditional five-day schedule. Even those with smaller reductions in hours reported similar, albeit less pronounced, benefits.
These positive outcomes correlated with decreased sleep issues and fatigue, alongside improved individual work capabilities. The researchers advocate for the adoption of shorter workweeks at unchanged salaries to enhance job satisfaction and overall employee wellness. Dr Dougal Sutherland, a principal psychologist at Umbrella Wellbeing who was not part of the study, acknowledged its extensive scope and attributed part of its success to pre-trial coaching provided to organisations, which focused on optimising work processes and eliminating unnecessary meetings.
The findings suggest that simply reducing work hours without structural support is unlikely to yield the same positive results. Associate Professor Paula O’Kane from the University of Otago pointed out that employees who are healthier and well-rested tend to be more productive. She also stated that while the study specifically focused on a four-day work week, the broader implications indicate that flexible and tailored working arrangements could produce similar benefits.
Interestingly, many of the participating organisations were not-for-profits that often provide flexible arrangements in lieu of offering higher salaries, implying that the for-profit sector could benefit from learning from their practices. In summary, the implementation of a four-day workweek not only promotes employee mental and physical health but also enhances productivity, paving the way for a potentially significant shift in workplace dynamics.