Only Benefits: Scientists Prove the Advantages of a Four-Day Work Week

This schedule does not decrease productivity at all, as was previously thought.

In the United Kingdom, an experiment has concluded in which over 60 companies reduced their employees' working hours by 20%—for six months, they worked only four days a week. As a result, their well-being and health improved. The study's findings were published on the 4 Day Week Global website.

The research was conducted by a group of scientists from the University of Cambridge, Boston College, and the British think tank Autonomy. Approximately 2,900 employees from various sectors participated in the experiment—from IT and financial services to healthcare.

Just three months after the experiment began, when company leaders reviewed the interim results, positive effects of the four-day workweek were observed. They confirmed the results of similar, but less extensive projects in the USA and Ireland.

After six months, the results were outstanding. 71% of employees reported reduced work fatigue, while 39% felt less stress at work.

The four-day week also positively impacted the work-life balance. 62% of workers found it easier to combine "two lives." Additionally, 60% noted that the new schedule allowed them to spend more time with their children.

The experiment also had a favorable effect on employees' health. Sick leave decreased by 65%.

Companies benefited as well: layoffs decreased by 57%, and revenues increased by an average of 1.4%. This disproves the popular belief that reducing the number of working days lowers productivity and efficiency.

It is noted that during the experiment, managers took steps to maximize employees' working time. For example, they reduced the number of meetings and improved the handover process at the end of the workday.

Most companies have already expressed their willingness to continue the program. Moreover, 18 of them stated that the four-day workweek is now permanent for them.