The concept of a four-day work week has been around since the early 20th century. In fact, in 1956, then-Vice President Richard Nixon told American citizens they wouldn’t have to wait ‘too long’ for a four-day work week.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the idea has gained a lot of traction. But why? A study by Mental Health UK found that, last year alone, found that 9 in 10 people experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress at work.
With an easy to use absence management system, employers can identify patterns of burnout (e.g., frequent days off, increased rates of absenteeism) at the touch of a button. For many, the issue is too big to ignore: workers want more time off.
Advocacy groups have been running global trials since 2022. These tests have seen employees receive 100% compensation for working 80% of their usual hours, and the results? So far, extremely positive.
What can business owners learn from these trials, and how can we use their results to understand more about employee wellbeing? The Future World of Work explores today!
In This Article:
What is the four-day work week?
The four-day work week would see employees work four days instead of the traditional five. There are two ways this could work.
The hours worked in five days can either be compressed into four days (meaning longer working hours per day). Alternatively, the second approach involves working fewer hours than a normal week but with no reduction in employee pay.
Why has the four-day work week become popular?
We mentioned employee burnout earlier, but there are several other reasons for a surge in interest. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the world of work for numerous industries, particularly office-based companies.
The global order to remain indoors, combined with the technological ability to work remotely, showed employers that workers could perform their jobs perfectly well from home.
Employees even reported a better work-time balance, time savings and feelings of greater productivity (according to studies by the Scottish Government). Almost five years later, reports indicate that some flexible work arrangements are being restricted or terminated entirely.
The BBC found that some firms (including corporations like Amazon) are requiring staff to return to the office five days a week. With flexible WFH policies hanging in the balance, it’s clear that workers are looking for a more permanent solution.
What are the pros and cons of a four-day work week?
So far, 4-Day Week Global has conducted trials worldwide, including in Ireland, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. UK trials from 2022 saw Plymouth-based legal company ‘Portcullis Legals’ report higher levels of staff productivity.
Their CEO stated that, internally, the company observed employees working more efficiently within the allocated time frame (Monday through Thursday with Friday off). But when staff were able to choose their own day off, the office lost a lot of ‘collaborative’ time.
The four-day work week is a process of trial and error, quite literally. It’s down to businesses to analyse the results of years’ worth of data:
Pros
Cost reduction
A benefit for both employers and employees, a four-day work week could see everyone save money. One day less in the office means fewer electricity costs, water bills, and general building maintenance for owners.
Then, there’s the cost of travelling to work. Whether that’s via public transport, buses, trains or a personal car, the amount you save each day could add up over time.
Well-being
Research on the four-day work week, conducted by Hentley Business School, found that 78% of employers who reported implementing this policy said their employees felt less stressed at work.
The study also found that this schedule also impacted job satisfaction; 68% of employees said that they would enjoy their work more if they were able to work a four-day week.
Better for the environment
It makes sense that fewer vehicles on the road would lead to reduced emissions.
The environmental benefits of a four-day work week have yet to be studied in detail, but initial evidence suggests that working remotely two or four days a week can reduce an individual’s emissions by up to 29%.
Cons
Not suitable for all businesses
Unfortunately, the four-day work week is not a universally suitable work arrangement. Industries such as hospitality, healthcare, transportation, and retail often can’t accommodate reduced work hours.
Longer hours (in some cases)
As we touched on, one way businesses can implement a four-day work week involves compressing the hours worked in a five-day week into four. Employees may not want to work longer days and may be unsatisfied.
Greater costs
In the event that not all work can be completed, employers may have to pay out for overtime costs or agency fees, especially if cover is needed during peak periods.
What’s the verdict on a four-day work week?
Trials are ongoing, with some businesses taking the results as proof of a more effective way of working.
In fact, in January 2025, 200 UK companies signed up to make this arrangement permanent. Sectors that adopted the arrangement included those in accountancy and banking, the creative arts, and engineering.
Despite this, many remain dubious. The five-day work week has been the standard since the 1930s, nearly 100 years. If times are to change, non-profit organisations will need to do more to prove that the four-day work week is, in fact, workable.
