- 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.
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."