The pandemic also forced companies and employees to explore more remote work options and reevaluate the work-life balance. A large majority of U.S. workers said they were in favor of a four-day workweek, even if it meant working longer hours, according to aMicrosoft boosts productivity by switching to 4-day work week in Japan
Researchers also surveyed employees throughout the trial to gauge the effects of having an extra day of free time. Self-reported levels of anxiety and fatigue decreased across workforces, while mental and physical health improved. Many survey respondents said they found it easier to balance work with both family and social commitments with 60% of employees finding an increased ability to combine paid work with care responsibilities, and 62% reporting it easier to combine work with social life.
Other pilots run by 4 Day Week Global have taken place in the U.S. and Ireland, but the U.K. trial is the largest to date and also the first to include in-depth interview research. Organizers said that by the end of the six-month trial, many of the managers said they could not imagine returning to a five-day week.
Joe O’Connor, CEO of 4 Day Week Global, discusses the changing attitudes of work culture and how both employees and companies have been shown to benefit from reduced working hours.