Shorter Hours, Better Outcomes: Preliminary Evidence for Four-Day Workweek Efficiency
In a groundbreaking six-month pilot project, around 40 companies in Portugal tested the four-day work week, leading to significant improvements in employee well-being and productivity. The trial resulted in an average weekly working hours reduction of 13.7%.
The findings, supported by large-scale studies and pilot projects across countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, the US, and Portugal, highlight the multiple benefits of a four-day work week, including reduced burnout, improved mental and physical health, higher job satisfaction, and maintained or increased productivity.
Key findings from a global study involving nearly 2,900 employees at 141 companies over six months include workers reporting less burnout, better sleep, and improved mental health after shifting to four-day workweeks without a pay cut, working about 80% of their previous hours but with similar productivity levels.
Job satisfaction and employee dedication increased significantly, with some studies noting 67% of workers feeling reduced burnout and 41% reporting improved mental health after the transition. Companies restructured workflows before the trials, cutting unnecessary meetings and time-wasting activities to maintain output despite fewer hours, which helped preserve or improve productivity.
A UK 2022 trial found that 89% of participating companies continued the model one year later, with 82% recognizing positive impacts on staff well-being. The four-day model also fosters a stronger sense of personal control over time and reduces burnout, addressing issues with the traditional five-day workweek and declining employee motivation.
Nearly 95% of participating firms in Portugal evaluated the four-day work week positively, with workers reporting a better balance between work, family, and personal life. Among businesses that support the four-day work week in the AIP-CCI survey, 71% believe it should remain optional.
The study, conducted across 141 companies in six countries, found no evidence that these improvements came at the expense of productivity. Researchers from Boston University and University College Dublin emphasized the importance of work structure, including opportunities for rest and recovery, on wellbeing.
The four-day work week trial in Portugal featured potential alternative models such as six-hour workdays or 20% reductions in working time. Participants were organized into three groups based on the reduction of their weekly hours: 8 or more hours (usually four-day work week), 5 to 7 hours, and 1 to 4 hours. The research involved 2,896 workers, with a control group of 285 workers.
These results suggest the four-day workweek could be a sustainable alternative to the traditional model, especially in the context of rising burnout and workforce dissatisfaction globally. However, it's important to note that the study did not provide information on the grouping of workers based on the reduction of their weekly hours.
A separate survey by the Portuguese Industrial Association (AIP-CCI) found that 0% of businesses in sectors like retail, construction, and manufacturing oppose the introduction of a four-day work week. Many workers reported better individual performance, and researchers highlighted the importance of implementing the four-day work week thoughtfully to ensure its success.
In the global study involving nearly 2,900 employees at 141 companies, researchers discovered that implementing a four-day work week in Portugal was associated with improved mental health and job satisfaction, potentially serving as a sustainable alternative to traditional workweek models in the context of rising burnout and workforce dissatisfaction. Notably, a separate survey by the Portuguese Industrial Association found no opposition to the introduction of a four-day work week in sectors like retail, construction, and manufacturing.
