4 Day Work Week

What is a 4-Day Work Week?

Overview of a 4-Day Work Week:
A 4-day work week is a contemporary work schedule that condenses employees’ weekly tasks into four days instead of the traditional 5-day work week. Initially adopting a 40-hour work week with four 10-hour days, employers are now transitioning to a 32-hour work week, where full-time, salaried employees work a standard 8-hour day over four days, maintaining the same pay, benefits, and productivity expectations.

The History of the 4-Day Work Week:
In the 19th century, workers faced extensive work hours, with the shift towards shorter workweeks beginning in the early 1900s, notably with Henry Ford’s introduction of the 40-hour work week. Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in shorter work weeks, with numerous companies globally experimenting with 4-day schedules, and countries like Spain, Iceland, Ireland, and Scotland conducting government-sponsored research trials on 32-hour work weeks.

Prominent Examples and Impact:
Microsoft Japan’s 2019 trial of a 4-day work week gained attention with a reported 40 percent increase in productivity. In 2022, various companies worldwide have explored this schedule, affecting approximately 10,000 employees. The concept gained traction in the post-COVID era, influenced by the rise of remote work flexibility and the evolving gig economy, emphasizing a better work-life balance.

Typical 4-Day Work Week Schedule:
The typical 4-day work week adheres to the 100-80-100 model:

• Employees receive 100 percent of their salary.
• Work is condensed to 80 percent of the traditional 40-hour workweek (32 hours).
• Employees are expected to maintain 100 percent of traditional work week productivity.

Other Work Flexible Schedules Besides 4-Day Work Weeks:
Before the 4-day work week movement gained momentum, companies implemented alternative scheduling structures:

• Compressed Work Schedule (4/10s): Four 10-hour workdays maintain the 40-hour average workweek.
• Reduced Daily Hours: Reducing weekly working hours to 32-35 through shorter daily shifts.
• Flexible 4-Day Work Week: Employees work 32 hours a week, choosing their individual day off.
• 9/80 Schedule: Employees work eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day, with every other Friday off.
• Half-Day Fridays: Designating a day, often Friday, as a half-day to allow additional time away from work.
• Summer Fridays and No-Meeting Fridays: Encouraging employees to take Fridays off during summer and limiting interactions on Fridays, respectively.