A short week promoting workers and entrepreneurs in Great Britain – The trial lasted a few months in 70 British companies (companies in the commercial sector, even small companies, up to finance companies) working 4 working days a week – with the same pay. According to the 4 Day Week Global Movement Report, the effects on productivity and physical and mental well-being are positive.

Reduced absenteeism, slightly fewer resignations, satisfaction with a rediscovered work-life balance, and an average of 8% more revenue in companies that joined the plan to not work on Fridays. The result has been published since Financial Times.

Comments – “Before the pandemic, the idea of ​​a 4-day week was still a marginal concept – explained Joe O’Connor, Managing Director of 4 Day Week Global. Financial Times. – The impact of the pandemic has turbocharged the four-day movement”. Thus the flexible work covid and reduced working hours scheme would have been made more concrete.

“The trial by fire is to increase productivity by 25% in 4 days of work: a big goal”, he underlined. Financial Times John Boyce, Labor Economist at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Numbers – For example, the Irish pilot project involved 903 workers and was implemented in 33 companies. Local Dublin Academy partners with non-profit organization 4 Day Week Global, Boston College and Cambridge University.

In this case, 27 companies, at the end of the trial, decided to continue with the short week with the same salary, because they were satisfied with the productivity and results of the workers, as well as the income, for some it increased. Up to 38% over the previous year.

In addition, 97% of the 495 employees who responded to the questionnaire at the end of the project said they were completely satisfied with the innovation introduced, as they had less stress and fatigue and had clear improvements in their physical and mental health.

World’s Shortest Week – Starting in 2019, in Japan, Microsoft gave its employees one more day off per week and increased productivity by +40%.

In IcelandAfter short-week trials between 2015 and 2019, there were 2,500 workers in 2021, working hours reduced to 35 or 36 hours a week without a pay cut.

In Belgium, at the beginning of 2022, the shorter working week was gradually introduced, but at the same time concentrated on four days instead of five. The employee requesting this is entitled to a trial period of 6 months before joining properly. Similar trials are underway in Spain.