Daniel Willis, the CEO and founder of media agency Claxon, has introduced a four-day workweek for his employees, granting them every Friday off while maintaining their salaries. This decision followed a successful trial in late 2024, which not only attracted a significant influx of applicants for open positions but also resulted in heightened employee satisfaction and productivity.
In a recent update, Willis explained that during interviews, candidates frequently cite the four-day workweek as a major reason for their interest in Claxon. To implement this new schedule, employees condense their standard 38-hour working week into four days, which means slightly longer daily hours. However, Willis noted that as a high-productivity company, this arrangement has actually enhanced overall productivity, allowing Claxon to maintain the same level of service while providing staff with an additional day off.
He observed that adapting to the three-day weekend was swift for employees, with no one expressing a desire to return to the traditional five-day model. An anonymous survey during the trial revealed personal benefits of the extra time off, positively impacting employees’ families and personal lives. Citing research from a study of 141 organisations in multiple countries, Willis mentioned that every publication he has encountered confirms positive outcomes from reduced working hours.
Despite the encouraging results, he acknowledges the resistance to a four-day week in some sectors, particularly citing comments from Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who dismisses the concept as not being on the government’s agenda. Willis understands the apprehension surrounding this shift, particularly for less structured companies. He articulated that businesses with well-structured operations should have confidence in transitioning to a four-day model without fear of chaos.
As he looks ahead, Willis believes more organisations will begin exploring four-day workweeks, noting that once adopted, the change is unlikely to revert. His conviction aligns with studies highlighting the enhanced happiness and productivity associated with shorter work weeks, suggesting a progressive shift in workplace norms.