The traditional five-day workweek has been a fixture of modern life for over a century. But in recent years, a growing body of research and real-world experimentation has started to challenge that norm. Now, a major new global study has added powerful evidence in favor of a four-day workweek without any cuts in pay.
The results? Employees report better mental health, improved sleep, and significantly lower burnout, suggesting a shorter workweek may not just be possible it might be necessary for a healthier and more productive workforce.
A Groundbreaking Global Experiment
Led by Boston College researchers Wen Fan and Juliet Schor, the study involved 2,896 employees across 141 organizations in six countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Over a period of six months, participating companies shifted to a four-day workweek model, while maintaining full salaries for their staff.
These weren’t just tech startups or trendy remote-first businesses they represented a broad mix of industries and sizes. Each organization was given time to restructure internal workflows, cut out inefficiencies like unnecessary meetings, and optimize processes to ensure productivity wouldn’t take a hit.
In parallel, a control group of about 300 workers continued with the traditional five-day schedule, allowing researchers to compare results and isolate the effects of the reduced workweek.
The Results: Less Burnout, Better Sleep, and Happier Employees
According to the findings, the four-day workweek produced major improvements across several well-being metrics:
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67% of participants reported reduced burnout
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41% saw improvements in mental health
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38% experienced better sleep quality
Even more striking, 52% of workers said their productivity actually increased, despite working fewer hours. These results were self-reported, but they paint a compelling picture of how giving employees more time to rest and recover can translate to better performance at work.
By contrast, the control group working five days a week showed no meaningful change in any of the above metrics.
“It’s a win-win for both employees and employers,” said Schor, a sociologist and economist at Boston College. “People are happier and healthier and often more productive when they have more time to live.”
A Global Movement Toward Work-Life Balance
The idea of reducing the standard workweek isn't new, but it has gained serious traction since the COVID-19 pandemic upended traditional workplace norms. Countries around the world are now actively experimenting with ways to redefine how we work.
Here’s how some nations are leading the way:
United Kingdom
In 2022, the UK ran one of the largest four-day workweek trials to date, involving over 3,300 workers across 73 companies. The majority of companies reported either steady or increased productivity and many opted to make the change permanent.
Belgium
Belgium passed a law in late 2022 allowing employees to compress their 40-hour week into four longer days maintaining full pay while giving workers an extra day off. The law empowers employees to request this shift without employer retaliation.
Iceland
Iceland's government-backed trials from 2015 to 2019 involving 2,500 workers were deemed an "overwhelming success." Following the trials, 86% of the country's workforce gained the right to work fewer hours without reduced pay.
Lithuania
In Lithuania, public sector employees with young children are allowed to work 32-hour weeks at full pay, part of a family-friendly push to improve work-life balance and support child-rearing.
Dubai
In a unique approach, Dubai is testing a temporary four-day week for public sector workers during the summer months. While seasonal, the initiative could provide insights into long-term feasibility for government employees.
Redefining Productivity in the Modern Age
Critics of the four-day workweek have long raised concerns about potential drops in output. However, the latest data challenges that assumption. Rather than simply “doing less,” many companies found ways to optimize operations, eliminate distractions, and empower employees to work more effectively within shorter timeframes.
According to the Boston College study, employees who reduced their work hours by at least eight hours per week saw the most substantial improvements in mental and physical health. Still, even those who trimmed fewer hours experienced notable benefits compared to peers who stuck with traditional schedules.
Crucially, most organizations did not see a drop in overall performance and many reported that employee engagement and job satisfaction actually increased. When workers feel rested, appreciated, and in control of their time, they’re more likely to stay motivated and loyal.
The Mental Health Crisis in the Workplace
The four-day workweek conversation is happening against a backdrop of widespread mental health challenges in the workplace. Burnout, stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation have become increasingly common among workers in many sectors.
The World Health Organization has even labeled burnout as a "syndrome" caused by chronic workplace stress. Longer hours, lack of autonomy, and poor work-life balance are major contributors.
By reducing the time spent at work without reducing compensation the four-day model offers a proactive way to combat these issues. It’s not about working less, but about working smarter and living more fully.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the benefits, a four-day workweek isn’t without its challenges. Companies must invest in restructuring operations, setting clear productivity goals, and sometimes overhauling company culture. For some roles particularly in customer service or healthcare coverage may need to be rotated or staggered to maintain service levels.
There’s also a psychological shift required. Some employers fear a loss of control or a drop in productivity, especially in sectors where time on the job is equated with output. Yet, study after study suggests that when implemented thoughtfully, shorter workweeks enhance not harm business performance.
The Road Ahead: Is the Five-Day Workweek Outdated?
As more research like the Boston College study emerges, it’s becoming clear that the traditional five-day workweek may be a relic of the past. Originally designed during the Industrial Revolution, the five-day model doesn’t necessarily reflect the needs of a digital, knowledge-based economy.
For companies looking to attract and retain top talent especially among younger workers who prioritize work-life balance and mental well-being a four-day week may soon become a competitive advantage rather than a radical experiment.
A Better Way Forward
The global shift toward a four-day workweek is not just about improving employee satisfaction it’s about reimagining the future of work. The latest findings from nearly 3,000 workers across multiple continents show that less time at work can lead to more productivity, healthier minds, and better lives.
As more companies embrace this model and governments explore supportive legislation, the question may soon shift from “Can we afford to try this?” to “Can we afford not to?”
