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A new global study found a four-day work week was a “resounding success” in a pilot program.
It found revenue increased over 8% over the six-month trial period for 33 participating companies.
On the employee side, respondents reported less burnout, less fatigue, and an increase in physical health.
If you’re trying to convince your boss to adopt a four-day work week, a new study just might help your case.
On Tuesday, 4 Day Week Global — a New Zealand based nonprofit — released data taken from 33 participating companies that employed 969 people based in the US, Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada who all adopted a four-day work week in a pilot program over a six-month period.
The research found the shortened work week was a “resounding success on virtually every dimension.”
“Companies are extremely pleased with their performance, productivity and overall experience, with almost all of them already committing or planning to continue with the 4 day week schedule,” the report said. “Revenue has risen over the course of the trial. Sick days and absenteeism are down. Companies are hiring. Resignations fell slightly, a striking finding during the ‘Great Resignation.’ Employees are similarly enthusiastic. And climate impacts, while less well-measured, are also encouraging.”
Over the trial period, revenue among the participating companies rose 8.14%, and when compared to the same time period last year, revenue jumped 37.55%. And on the employee side, the findings were significant — 67% of employees reported being less burned-out, the extra day without work allowed exercise to increase by about 23 minutes per week, and sleep problems decreased by 8%.
Additionally, even with less time each week to complete work, the respondents in the survey did not see a significant increase to their workload.
A respondent said in the report that they view the shortened work week as “equivalent to ~25% pay bump,” with another saying that “the trial has been fantastic, allowing me to take the extra day or time when I can. Due to the nature of this role it isn’t always possible, however even having the chance or possibility to do so has made a big difference in my lifestyle.”
While five-day work weeks remain the norm in the US, some companies have started testing out shorter weeks and have reported huge successes. As Insider previously reported, a Chick-fil-A owner in Florida launched a three-day work week and received 400 applications for one job, despite the 13 or 14-hour shifts.
The four-day work week has also caught attention of some lawmakers. The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has previously endorsed the “32-Hour Workweek Act,” first introduced by California Rep. Mark Takano last year and supported by unions like the AFL-CIO and SEIU.
“It is past time that we put people and communities over corporations and their profits — finally prioritizing the health, wellbeing, and basic human dignity of the working class rather than their employers’ bottom line,” CPC Chair Pramila Jayapal said in a statement. “The 32-hour work week would go a long way toward finally righting that balance.”