Four-day workweek

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A four-day workweek is an arrangement where a workplace or place of education has its employees or students work or attend school, college or university over the course of four days per week rather than the more customary five.[1] This arrangement can be a part of flexible working hours, and is sometimes used to cut costs.

The four-day week movement has grown considerably in recent years, with increasing numbers of businesses and organisations around the world trialling and moving permanently to a four-day working week of around 32 hours, with no less pay for workers. Most of these businesses and organisations have involved white collar work, and found that a four-day week is a win-win for employees and employers, as trials have indicated that it leads to a better work-life balance, lower stress-levels, and increased productivity, mainly by eliminating wasted work time. An overwhelming majority of studies report that a four-day week leads to increased productivity and decreased stress, though experts question whether this arrangement is possible in blue collar work, where there may be little wasted time, or workers would be required to work faster to maintain the same productivity, potentially increasing stress levels and decreasing safety.[2][3][4]

Background[edit]

The five-day workweek is a cultural norm; the result of early 1900s union advocacy to reduce the six-day workweek, which led to the invention of the weekend. In the early 20th century, when the average work week in developed nations was reduced from around 60 to 40 hours, it was expected that further decreases would occur over time. In 1930, economist John Maynard Keynes estimated that technological change and productivity improvements would make a 15-hour work week possible within a couple of generations.[5] Other notable people throughout history to predict continuing reductions in working hours include United States (US) Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, Karl Marx, British philosopher John Stuart Mill, and playwright George Bernard Shaw. In 1956, then US Vice President Richard Nixon promised Americans they would only have to work four days "in the not too distant future".[6]

Variations[edit]

Most advocates for a four-day working week argue for a fixed work schedule, resulting in shorter weeks (e.g. four 8-hour workdays for a total of 32 hours).[7] This follows the 100-80-100 model: 100% pay for 80% of the time, in exchange for a commitment to maintain at least 100% productivity. However, some companies have introduced a four-day week based on a compressed work schedule:[7] in the so-called "4/10 work week," the widely used 40 weekly work hours are distributed across four days instead of five, resulting in 10 hour-long workdays (hence "four-ten").[8]

The 9/80 work schedule can be seen as an intermediate between a compressed 4 day week and a 5-day week: every 2 weeks, a 4-day work-week alternates with a 5-day work-week.

The resulting schedule may look different depending on the way the four-day week is implemented: in some variants, Friday becomes the permanent non-working day, giving employees three consecutive days off over the weekend; some workplaces split the day off among the staff, with half taking Monday off and the other half taking Friday off; sometimes the day off is added in the middle of the week such as a Wednesday, allowing for a mid-week break; and, in some cases the day off changes from week to week, depending on the company's current goals and workload.

Although it's not an actual implementation of the four-day week, some companies encourage their employees to spend a portion of the paid time on work-related experiments or personal projects. Google's "80/20 formula"—referring to the percentage of time spent on core and side projects, respectively—is an example of such policy.[9][10]

According to the Marketplace radio program, the four day work week can be viewed as a white collar phenomenon. It has also been suggested that some blue collar jobs would see increased stress for workers if 100% of the five day productivity was expected in a four-day week. But advances in automation make the four day work week just as relevant for blue collar workers.[4]

Rationale[edit]

The push towards implementing the four-day week has remained loosely relevant within the contemporary workplace due to the various possible benefits it may yield. Although mostly untested, these benefits mainly lie within increased cost-cutting, productivity, and work-life balance. The theory behind this is, employees or students who work or attend school one less day a week will have additional time to pursue hobbies, spend time with family, get more sleep, and increase overall morale.

Consequently, these employees or students will be more productive and refreshed for working or learning, which will make up for the lost day where they would otherwise be overworked and/or overtired. In addition, by having the workplace or school open one less day a week, the operating costs and environmental costs will decrease for businesses and society alike.[citation needed]

Where four-day weeks have been instituted so far, workers gain a better work-life balance that enables them to live happier and more fulfilled lives, and employers are able to recruit and retain high-quality and well-rested workers who deliver greater productivity and creativity.[citation needed]

More broadly, a four-day week provides opportunities to rebalance employment, decreasing the number of people who are overworked and the number who are unemployed or underemployed. It allows for greater gender equality through a more equal share of paid and unpaid work, too, including the caring roles that disproportionately fall on women, and better health and wellbeing for workers and their loved ones.[citation needed]

On top of that, evidence shows that cutting working hours isn't only good for people: it's good for the planet. It lowers energy use, meaning less pollution and an opportunity for us to live more sustainably and tackle the climate crisis.[citation needed]

A study from the University of Massachusetts concluded that a four-day workweek would cut humanity's carbon footprint by nearly 30%.[11]

An increase in remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the desire for flexible work arrangements.[12]

Active trials[edit]

In 2022, not-for-profit advocacy group 4 Day Week Global launched a series of six-month trials for companies in:

  • Ireland (17 companies, February to August);
  • the United States and Canada (38 companies, April to October);
  • the United Kingdom (UK) (61 companies with around 2,900 employees, June to December). The program, which allows employees to get 100% compensation for working 80% of their usual hours, is being used by more than 61 businesses with around 2,900 employees. Participating businesses include local fish and chip shops, charities, and office-based software developers and employment agencies. The study is being conducted by Autonomy, a think tank, researchers from Cambridge and Oxford universities, and 4 Day Week, an organization that advocates for a reduced workweek. The project will be overseen by academics from Boston College in the US, Oxford, and Cambridge universities, together with the think tank Autonomy. The pilot has been viewed as a success with many of the programs retaining the four day work week after the pilot program was originally scheduled to end.[13][14][15][16]

and

Employees of participating companies will work one less day a week with no reduction in pay. The UK pilot is the world's largest trial of a four-day week to date.[18]

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, several governments have proposed and launched four-day working week trials:

  • Scotland announced it is putting £10 million towards a trial, as part of its promise to pursue a wellbeing economy.
  • Spain announced a voluntary, nationwide, three-year trial of a 32-hour workweek.
  • The Japanese government's 2021 annual economic policy guidelines recommended that companies allow their workers to opt for a four-day work week, as part of an initiative aimed at improving work-life balance in the country.[19]
  • Belgium allowed employees the ability to request a four-day work week through the compression of their 38-hour week.[20]

Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand and Sanna Marin of Finland have each proposed a four-day workweek as a consideration.[21][22]

Major trial results[edit]

Iceland[edit]

Two trials in Iceland between 2015 and 2019 in which working hours were reduced to 35 hours a week without pay reduction for 2,500 workers resulted in "dramatically increased" well-being, and improved work-life balance and stress ratings from employees, measured by a range of indicators such as burnout and perceived stress.[23] Productivity also remained the same, or improved across the majority of all the workplaces, according to UK think tank Autonomy and the Icelandic Association for Sustainable Democracy.[24] While framed as a "four-day week", the trial was for reduced working hours, not necessarily compressed within four days, from 40 to 35 and 36 hours.[25] The study ran two large-scale trials and included more than 1% of Iceland's entire population.[26] The vast majority of the workplaces removed up to three hours from the week, not eight, as would be needed in a four-day week. Agreements to reduce work hours following the trial have led to a reduction of an hour or less.[27] Due to these factors, the study was perceived to be an "overwhelming success", with 86% of the population working in wage labour later receiving permanent reductions in time spent at work through negotiations.[28][29][30]

Perpetual Guardian in New Zealand[edit]

In New Zealand, trust company Perpetual Guardian announced in February 2018 that it would begin trialing a four-day work week in March 2018.[31] The six-week trial, initiated by founder Andrew Barnes, saw the company's 240-plus staff nominating a day off each week whilst still receiving full pay.[32] The trial, held in March and April 2018, attracted international media attention.[33][34][35][36][37] In late March 2018, Barnes noted that the trial was going well with staff reporting more time for their families, hobbies, completing their to-do lists and doing home maintenance.[38][39][40][41]

The trial, which was tracked and assessed by the University of Auckland Business School and Auckland University of Technology,[42][43][44] was described as a success[45] and "a total win-win".[46][47] Perpetual Guardian then extended the four-day work week scheme permanently.[48][49] The trial saw increased productivity,[50] customer engagement levels,[51] and staff engagement;[52] reduced staff stress levels;[53] and improved work–life balance.[54][55][56] The company's revenue remained stable while costs went down, due to less power being used throughout the period.

The trial sparked publicity both in New Zealand[42][57][58][59] and internationally.[60][61][62][63][64][65] New Zealand workplace relations minister Iain Lees-Galloway said the trial was "fascinating".[66]

The initiative was held up by Barnes as a way of helping to close the gender pay gap and increase diversity in the workforce.[67][68] Barnes also held the scheme up as a potential blueprint for the workplace of the future, ensuring companies were attractive to millennials[69] and easing Auckland's traffic congestion.[70]

However, while four-day work weeks were deemed a success for most, not everyone involved within the Perpetual Guardian trial was able to adapt, with some reporting feeling increased pressure to complete work within a shorter time frame, particularly around deadlines.[71]

Microsoft Japan[edit]

Microsoft Japan conducted a trial four-day work week in summer 2019, granting workers paid leave on Fridays. At the same time it cut the length of most meetings from a full hour to half an hour, and capped attendance at five employees. For the duration of the trial, the company reported a 23% reduction in electricity costs.[72] Sales per employee increased 40% during the last year's same period.[73]

United Kingdom[edit]

As of July 2022, more than 80 UK companies and organisations are recognised as having permanently implemented a four-day working week of fewer than 35 hours, with most doing fewer than 32 hours.[74][14] These include: the consultancy Think Productive, which has been doing a four-day week since 2011;[75][15] Plymouth-based Portcullis Legals, which has highlighted improvement with productivity and stress levels among staff, whilst providing higher levels of satisfaction amongst its clients;[76] Cornwall-based accountancy firm Whyfield; Bristol and Devon-based Barefoot Architects;[77] gaming studio Big Potato Games;[78] Atom Bank,[79] Leeds-based recruitment agency Charlton Morris;[80] Suffolk-based manufacturing company CMG Technologies, which has been doing a four-day week since 2015;[81] Dorset-based Gungho Marketing; Southampton-based engineering firm Highfield Professional Solutions; and, Edinburgh-based Vault City Brewing.[82]

Of the 73 enterprises in the study, 41 firms answered to a survey midway through the plan. Nearly 86% of those polled stated they would continue to follow the four-day workweek guideline when the experiment is over.[3] According to 4 Day Week, employees experienced decreased childcare and commute expenditures, which resulted in an average annual savings of £3,232.40, or around £269.36 per month, for a parent with two children.[14][83][16][84] As 50% of workers claim improved productivity during the period, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) announces it will permanently provide a four-day workweek to its 820 employees (although with 36 hours instead of 48).[85] According to Loughborough University, which undertook an external study, the staff's reaction was "overwhelmingly favourable," and for more recent hires, the policies were one of the primary draws. According to survey results, maintaining a "work-life balance" was important to respondents.[85] However, some companies in the scheme found the move to reduced hours "trickier".[86][87]

A first for a UK local body, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) opted to proceed with the experiment of a four-day workweek (30-hour workweek) for roughly 470 desk-based employees. Staff will receive the same full-time compensation during the trial, which will last three months starting in January 2023. The decision, according to council leader Bridget Smith, will improve employee welfare.[88] Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: "The decision by South Cambridgeshire District Council to outline plans to become the first ever UK local authority to trial a four-day week is historic and should be applauded."[88] However, Anthony Browne, South Cambridgeshire MP, criticised the move, accusing the SCDC of "charging the taxpayer for the privilege".[89] The district council had planned extend its trial until April 2024 but in June 2023 local government minister, Lee Rowle, ordered that the council the end the trial because it was not permitted under the Local Government Act.[90] In the face of opposition from Conservative ministers, backed by the TaxPayers' Alliance, shorter hours are to be introduced in neighbouring Cambridge city council, and eight other English councils are said to be considering testing shorter working weeks. Glasgow city council was monitoring the pilot programmes and described the four-day working week as "an aspirational position".[91]

Regarding the 4 Day Week Global trial organised by think-tank Autonomy and researchers at Boston College and the universities of Cambridge and Oxford, the trial involved 61 companies and almost 3,000 workers [92] The trial's findings suggest that more than nine out of 10 companies that adopted a four-day working week in the UK will continue to use the more flexible way of operating.[93] Specifically, 18 firms decided to maintain the four-day working week on a permanent basis, and 38 others will continue with the trial.[94] Over the trial period, revenue at participating companies rose on average more than a third compared with the same time in 2021, and the number of staff leaving companies fell significantly.[95]

The 4 days workweek was discussed in House of Lords on 5 September 2022 when Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle questioned if the government is considering the measure especially after Jacob Rees-Mogg announced a crack down on flexitime. Lord Callanan emphasised that government is assessing the measure.[96] According to Peter Dowd, Labour MP for Bootle in Merseyside, cutting the number of hours worked each week to 32 would provide "every British worker the chance of moving to a four-day week." Dowd stated: "I am introducing this legislation because we're long overdue a shorter working week".[86] The bill to mandate 4 days workweek was debated in the House of Commons on October 18, 2022.[97][98] Before it can become law, it must successfully pass through a number of phases.[99]

In September 2023 the Scottish government announced the trial of a four-day working week by the end of 2023.[100]

Utah state government[edit]

In 2008, employees of the Utah state government all began working ten-hour days from Monday to Thursday.[1][101] By closing state government offices on Fridays, the state expected to save on operating costs such as electricity, heat, air conditioning, and gasoline for state-owned vehicles.[101] Utah ended this practice however, in 2011, with the Utah Legislature overriding Governor Gary Herbert's veto of five-day work week legislation.[102] Many local governments have had alternative schedules for many years.[103][104][105]

K-12 public schools in the United States[edit]

Due to budgetary problems, public schools in Hawaii closed on 17 Fridays in 2010.[106] In 2002, it was reported that over 100 school districts in rural areas in the United States have changed the school week to a four-day week; most also extended each school day by an hour or more.[107][108] The changes were often made in order to save money on transportation, heating, and substitute teachers.[107]

According to a 2021 study, which examined four-day school weeks in Oregon, the switch to four-day school weeks led to lower test scores in reading and math.[109]

Higher education in the United States[edit]

In January 2022, D'Youville College announced a transition to a 4-day, 32-hour work week for all staff and administration without any change to employees pay or benefits.[110] The employees were previously working 37.5 hours per week.[110] This initiative was a follow-up to a pilot program in 2020 which received positive feedback from employees.[111] The program is described as a 6-month trial.[112]

The Gambia civil service[edit]

In The Gambia, a four-day work week was introduced for public officials by president Yahya Jammeh, effective February 1, 2013. Working hours were limited to Monday through Thursday, 08:00 to 18:00, with Friday designated as a day of rest to allow residents more time for prayer and agriculture. This regulation was abolished in early 2017 by his successor, president Adama Barrow, who decreed a half-day of work on Fridays.[113]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Facer, Rex L.; Wadsworth, Lori L. (May 2010). "Four-day work weeks: Current research and practice". Connecticut Law Review. 42 (4): 1031–1046. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  2. ^ Booth, Robert (February 19, 2019). "Four-day week: trial finds lower stress and increased productivity". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Timsit, Annabelle (February 21, 2023). "A four-day workweek pilot was so successful most firms say they won't go back". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Schwab, Kristin (September 19, 2023). "Is a four-day workweek possible for blue-collar workers?". Marketplace. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  5. ^ Veal, Anthony (December 24, 2018). "It's time to put the 15-hour work week back on the agenda". The Conversation. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Bregman, Rutger (2014). Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There. pp. 128–132.
  7. ^ a b Fact Sheet: Compressed Work Schedules Archived July 21, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, from United States Office of Personnel Management
  8. ^ Hyatt, Edward; Coslor, Erica (March 5, 2018). "Compressed lives: how 'flexible' are employer-imposed compressed work schedules?". Personnel Review. 47 (2): 278–293. doi:10.1108/PR-08-2016-0189. hdl:11343/191878.
  9. ^ "Google's 80/20 Formula – It can work for you!". SmartStorming. October 5, 2009. Archived from the original on September 18, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  10. ^ "Google Says It Still Uses the '20-Percent Rule,' and You Should Totally Copy It". Inc. November 1, 2020. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  11. ^ Smedley, Tim (August 7, 2019). "How shorter workweeks could save Earth". BBC. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  12. ^ Casalicchio, Emilio (June 21, 2021). "UK should seize pandemic 'opportunity' to work more flexibly, says review chief". Politico. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  13. ^ Young, Sarah (February 21, 2023). "Four-day week liked by UK employers in world's largest trial". Reuters. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c "Firms in four-day week trial will make it permanent". BBC News. September 20, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "The workers getting 100% pay for 80% of the hours". BBC News. June 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "'I can't see myself going back to a five-day week'". BBC News. March 25, 2021. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  17. ^ Sharples, Sarah (May 20, 2022). ""'Hustling': Australian companies embracing the four day work week"". news.com.au. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  18. ^ Elvin, Sian (January 17, 2022). "Four-day working week pilot launched in UK". Metro. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  19. ^ Ryall, Julian (June 22, 2021). "Japan proposes four-day working week to improve work-life balance". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  20. ^ Bateman, Tom (February 15, 2022). "Belgium approves 4-day week and right to disconnect". euronews. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  21. ^ "Jacinda Ardern flags four-day working week as way to rebuild New Zealand after Covid-19". The Guardian. May 20, 2020. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  22. ^ Kelly, Jack (January 8, 2020). "Finland Prime Minister's Aspirational Goal Of A Six-Hour, Four-Day Workweek: Will It Ever Happen?". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  23. ^ "Going public: Iceland's journey to a shorter working week" (PDF). ALDA - Association for sustainable democracy. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  24. ^ Pohjanpalo, Kati (July 6, 2021). "Iceland Cuts Working Hours With No Productivity Loss, Same Pay". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  25. ^ "Four-day week 'an overwhelming success' in Iceland". BBC News. July 5, 2021. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  26. ^ "Going public: Iceland's journey to a shorter working week" (PDF). ALDA - Association for sustainable democracy. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  27. ^ Veal, Anthony (July 13, 2021). "Follow Up: Was Iceland's 'Four-Day Week' Was as Successful as Advertised?". Interesting Engineering. The Conversation. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  28. ^ "Island drar ner på arbetstiden". Arbetaren. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  29. ^ "Going public: Iceland's journey to a shorter working week" (PDF). ALDA – Association for sustainable democracy. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  30. ^ "The Shorter Work Week Really Worked in Iceland. Here's How". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  31. ^ "Kiwi firm Perpetual Guardian to test four-day week with workers on full pay". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  32. ^ "New Zealand trust company trials three-day weekends for employees". 9Finance Australia. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  33. ^ "Work four days, get paid for five: New Zealand company's new shorter week". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  34. ^ "New Zealand company to trial four-day work week". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  35. ^ "Στη Νέα Ζηλανδία μία εταιρεία θα πληρώνει τους υπαλλήλους της για πέντε μέρες εργασίας ενώ θα δουλεύουν τέσσερις". HuffPost Greece. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  36. ^ "Quattro giorni di lavoro e cinque di paga: la sperimentazione di un'azienda neozelandese". Vanity Fair Italy. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  37. ^ "Perpetual Guardian to test four-day week". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  38. ^ "'Heck it was productive': New Zealand company trials four-day work week .... but will it stick?". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  39. ^ "Perpetual Guardian's four-day working week trial going well". Stuff. March 31, 2018. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  40. ^ "Workers embrace four-day week at Perpetual Guardian - NZ Herald". NZ Herald. March 29, 2018. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  41. ^ Peters, Lucia. "A Company Is Testing Out Four-Day Work Weeks — And It's Having MASSIVE Success". Bustle. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  42. ^ a b "Kiwi company trials four-day working week for more 'energised, engaged workforce'". TVNZ. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  43. ^ "Kiwi company trials four-day working week for more 'energised, engaged workforce'". TVNZ. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  44. ^ "Working four-day weeks for five days' pay? Research shows it pays off". Stuff. July 24, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  45. ^ Yeung, Jessie. "A New Zealand company tried a four-day work week. It was a 'resounding success'". CNNMoney. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  46. ^ "Seven Sharp". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  47. ^ "Perpetual Guardian founder Andrew Barnes hails four-day week trial". Newshub. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  48. ^ "Perpetual Guardian makes four-day week permanent". Stuff. October 2018. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  49. ^ "Why this company switched to a four-day work week". CNBC. August 16, 2018. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  50. ^ "Kiwi business hails four-day work week trial". RadioLIVE. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  51. ^ "Perpetual Guardian founder Andrew Barnes hails four-day week trial". Newshub. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  52. ^ "Four-day working week trial at Perpetual Guardian a success, boss wants to make it permanent". NZ Herald. July 21, 2018. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  53. ^ Lea, Brittany De (July 19, 2018). "New Zealand company tested four-day work week, results may surprise you". Fox Business. Archived from the original on January 13, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  54. ^ "Perpetual Guardian improves work-life balance using four-day week". Employeebenefits.co.uk. July 20, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  55. ^ Roy, Eleanor Ainge (July 18, 2018). "Work less, get more: New Zealand firm's four-day week an 'unmitigated success'". the Guardian. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  56. ^ Graham-Mclay, Charlotte (July 19, 2018). "A 4-Day Workweek? A Test Run Shows a Surprising Result". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  57. ^ Venuto, Damien. "Four-day working week may become permanent for Kiwi company". Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  58. ^ "Four-day working week trial at Perpetual Guardian a success, boss wants to make it permanent". NZ Herald. July 21, 2018. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  59. ^ "Four-day week. Yes we can!". Radio New Zealand. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  60. ^ Graham-Mclay, Charlotte (July 19, 2018). "A 4-Day Workweek? A Test Run Shows a Surprising Result". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  61. ^ "'We've seen a massive increase in engagement'". NewsComAu. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  62. ^ Would a four-day working week boost productivity?, July 18, 2018, archived from the original on August 8, 2018, retrieved July 24, 2018
  63. ^ "Company Tests 4-Day Work Week, Employees Return Energised After Long Weekend - WORLD OF BUZZ". Worldofbuzz.com. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  64. ^ (www.dw.com), Deutsche Welle. "New Zealand company switches to four-day working week | DW | July 18, 2018". DW.COM. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  65. ^ "Four-Day Workweeks Create More Productive Employees, New Study Shows". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  66. ^ "Four-day work week trial 'very interesting' - Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway". Newshub. July 19, 2018. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  67. ^ "Four-day working week trial a bonus for working mums". Stuff. July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  68. ^ "Kate Hawkesby: Why women should negotiate their pay based on productivity". NZ Herald. July 29, 2018. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  69. ^ "Millennials are rejecting the 9-5 workday". Stuff. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  70. ^ "Four-day week could help to ease Auckland's traffic woes". NZ Herald. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  71. ^ "'Would rather come to work': Four-day working week trial a success, but didn't work for everyone". The Sydney Morning Herald. July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  72. ^ "4-Day Workweek Boosted Workers' Productivity By 40%, Microsoft Japan Says". NPR. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  73. ^ Porter, Jon (November 5, 2019). "Microsoft Japan's four-day working week trial led to productivity improvements". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  74. ^ "Accredited 4 Day Week Employers". UK 4 Day Week Campaign. July 26, 2022. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  75. ^ "'The four-day week: who's making it work?'". ITV News. April 17, 2019. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  76. ^ "'Workers given four day week at law firm'". Metro Online. May 24, 2019. Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  77. ^ "Making a progressive leap in 2020 as we introduce a 4-day working week". barefoot architects. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  78. ^ "Big Potato Games". Big Potato Games. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  79. ^ "Atom Bank introduces four-day working week without cutting pay". BBC News. November 23, 2021. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  80. ^ Wickens, Zoe (November 8, 2021). "Charlton Morris launches four-day week". Employee Benefits. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  81. ^ www.integratedideas.co.uk, Integrated Ideas Agency Ltd-. "CMG Technologies | About us | Specialist in MIM". CMG Technologies. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  82. ^ "Edinburgh firm is first brewer in UK to introduce four day week after pilot success". HeraldScotland. February 14, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  83. ^ "'Four-day working week makes us more productive'". BBC News. February 11, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  84. ^ "Four-day week: What we do with our extra day off". BBC News. April 3, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  85. ^ a b "Coventry: Four-day week offered to 820 tech firm staff". BBC News. July 4, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  86. ^ a b "MP submits four-day week bill to Parliament". BBC News. September 25, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  87. ^ "Could your firm move to a four-day week?". BBC News. May 4, 2019. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  88. ^ a b "South Cambridgeshire Council 'first' to trial four-day working week". BBC News. September 2, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  89. ^ "MP criticises South Cambridgeshire council's four-day week plans". BBC News. September 8, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  90. ^ Hussen, Dahaba Ali (July 1, 2023). "Minister orders halt to Cambridgeshire council's four-day week trial". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  91. ^ Booth, Robert; correspondent, Robert Booth Social affairs (July 7, 2023). "Rightwing lobby group campaigns to undermine UK four-day week". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  92. ^ "The results are in: the UK's four-day week pilot". Autonomy. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  93. ^ Marra, Miriam (February 24, 2023). "The UK's four-day working week pilot was a success – here's what should happen next". The Conversation. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  94. ^ "Most companies in UK four-day week trial to continue with flexible working". Financial Times. February 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  95. ^ Stewart, Heather (February 21, 2023). "Four-day week: 'major breakthrough' as most UK firms in trial extend changes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  96. ^ "Four-Day Working Week". House of Lords. September 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  97. ^ Hurst, Luke (October 18, 2022). "UK parliament to hear case for mandatory four-day working week". euronews. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  98. ^ "Workers one day closer to a four-day week after bill introduced to Commons". ITV News. October 18, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  99. ^ "What is a bill?". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  100. ^ Carrell, Severin (September 4, 2023). "Scottish government plans trial of four-day week in civil service". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  101. ^ a b "Utah is going to a 4-day workweek". NBC News. Associated Press. July 3, 2008. Archived from the original on May 26, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  102. ^ Heather Kerrigan, Utah's Demise of the Four-Day Workweek Archived February 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Governing (July 13, 2011).
  103. ^ Wadsworth, Lori L.; Facer, Rex L.; Arbon, Chyleen A. (September 1, 2010). "Alternative Work Schedules in Local Government: Cui Bono?". Review of Public Personnel Administration. 30 (3): 322–340. doi:10.1177/0734371X10368223. S2CID 154224973.
  104. ^ Facer, Rex L.; Wadsworth, Lori (June 2008). "Alternative Work Schedules and Work–Family Balance: A Research Note". Review of Public Personnel Administration. 28 (2): 166–177. doi:10.1177/0734371X08315138. S2CID 154667925.
  105. ^ Facer, Rex L.; Wadsworth, Lori L.; Arbon, Chyleen (2009). "Cities Leading the Way: The Use of Alternative Work Schedules by Cities". The municipal year book 2009. pp. 28–33. ISBN 978-0-87326-571-3. OCLC 874180062.
  106. ^ Herring, Chris (March 8, 2010). "Schools' New Math: The Four-Day Week". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  107. ^ a b Toppo, Greg (August 20, 2002). "In rural areas, the four-day school week is growing in popularity". The Christian Science Monitor. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  108. ^ "Four-Day School Weeks". National Conference of State Legislatures. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  109. ^ Thompson, Paul N. (January 2021). "Is four less than five? Effects of four-day school weeks on student achievement in Oregon". Journal of Public Economics. 193: 104308. doi:10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104308. S2CID 229397116.
  110. ^ a b Kaplan, Juliana (January 11, 2022). "A college in upstate New York is shortening the work week to 32 hours, but pay and benefits are staying the same". Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  111. ^ Redden, Elizabeth (January 10, 2021). "A 4-Day Workweek". Inside HigherEd. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  112. ^ Schwartz, Natalie (January 7, 2022). "Inside one college's move to a 4-day workweek". Higher Ed Dive. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  113. ^ "Gambia's President Barrow scraps Jammeh's four-day week". BBC News. February 3, 2017. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2017.

External links[edit]