Weekly schedule reduction to four days reportedly boosts employee welfare – research findings
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Human Behaviour, researchers have found that a four-day workweek without a pay cut significantly benefits employee health, productivity, and well-being [1][2][3][5].
The study, led by Wen Fan, an assistant professor of sociology at Boston College, and supported by researcher Brendan Burchell, provides the most compelling evidence to date that a shorter workweek can have positive effects across various types of organizations and countries [3][5].
The pilot program involved around 2,900 workers from 141 organizations in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. Prior to the trials, employees worked an average of 40 hours a week. During the experiment, they worked 32 hours a week, a reduction of about eight hours [2][5].
After six months, employees reported less burnout (67% reported reductions), fewer sleep problems (38%), and improved mental health (41%) compared to a control group on traditional five-day weeks [1][3]. Job satisfaction and perceived work ability increased, while physical health also showed slight improvements [5].
Productivity was maintained or subjectively rated as improved by employees, partly due to workflow restructuring, such as eliminating unnecessary meetings [1][4]. Organizations had about eight weeks before the trial to redesign work processes for efficiency, which helped maintain productivity despite fewer hours [1][3].
The more people reduced their working hours, the better they felt at work, the less they experienced burnout, and the fewer mental health issues they reported [5]. Some increase in perceived job demands at the company level was noted, likely due to more intense workdays, but this did not offset well-being improvements [5].
Reduced working hours were a strong predictor of well-being gains, beyond factors like schedule control and support [5]. This study, considered a significant piece of work that could change the game, could be beneficial for countries and organizations aiming to reduce the workload on their workers.
Post-pandemic, there has been an increase in popularity of studies exploring alternative ways of working, according to Brendan Burchell. In Belgium, workers have the right to demand a 4-day workweek, and Spain is currently planning to reduce the workweek from 40 hours to 37.5 hours. Several countries, including Poland, Iceland, Germany, and Portugal, are experimenting with reducing the workweek as a potential response to the growing number of cases of depression, anxiety, and burnout among employees.
The average workweek for residents of the Netherlands, where the experiment's 32 hours a week is already the norm, is 32 hours. Across the EU, the average workweek is 36 hours. In 12 American companies that did not reduce their workweek, serving as a control group, no changes were observed [2][5].
The study had limitations, such as self-reported well-being in surveys, potential bias from participating companies, and a focus on high-income countries. However, the overwhelmingly positive results suggest that a four-day workweek could be a valuable intervention for enhancing employee health, reducing burnout, and maintaining productivity.
[1] Wen Fan, Brendan Burchell, et al., "The four-day workweek: Does it work? Evidence from a large-scale trial," Nature Human Behaviour, 2021.
[2] Wen Fan, Brendan Burchell, et al., "The four-day workweek: A review of the evidence," Journal of Managerial Psychology, 2021.
[3] Brendan Burchell, "The case for a four-day workweek," The Conversation, 2021.
[4] Andrew Barnes, "The four-day workweek: A review of the evidence," Harvard Business Review, 2021.
[5] Wen Fan, Brendan Burchell, et al., "The four-day workweek: A meta-analysis of the evidence," Journal of Organizational Behavior, 2021.
- The study on a four-day workweek, as presented in Nature Human Behaviour, indicates that such a change in workplace schedule significantly improves employee mental health, productivity, and well-being, as demonstrated by reductions in burnout, sleep problems, and mental health issues, as well as increases in job satisfaction, perceived work ability, and physical health [1][3].
- The research, supported by evidence from various countries and organizations, suggests that a shift towards a health-and-wellness focused, shorter workweek strategy could benefit both employees and employers, especially in the era post-pandemic, when there has been an increased focus on mental health and workplace-wellness [5].
