US Senator Bernie Sanders has announced plans to introduce new legislation to enforce a four-day workweek in the US by 2028, while the new Labour government in the UK is also considering plans to protect workers’ right to ask for a four-day week.
“Everywhere you look, people are talking about the four-day week,” says Matthew Woodward from Search Logistics, an SEO Agency specialising in tailored strategies.
Here, Matthew outlines the benefits of a four-day workweek and explains why everyone is so interested in this new working style.
#1 Improved Employee Wellbeing And Mental Health
A four-day workweek allows employees more time to rest and recover, significantly improving their mental and physical health. Workers can spend their newly gained free time on exercise, hobbies, or quality time with family and friends.
In the longest four-day work week study to date, there was a reported 71% reduction in burnout, showing how transformative this shift could be for employee health.
“It can feel hard to fit rest and hobby time into a normal two-day weekend,” says Matthew. “Some people feel the normal weekend doesn’t give them time to take a proper rest, let alone spend time on hobby projects. That feeling isn’t conducive to feeling enthusiastic about returning to work on Monday.”
#2 Boosted Productivity
Contrary to fears of decreased productivity, a four-day workweek can actually lead to increased output. Research, such as a trial conducted by Microsoft in the Japanese arm of their business, found that employees working fewer days were more efficient, increasing productivity by 40%.
This improvement stems from more focused workdays and streamlined processes. With less time available, employees tend to prioritise tasks better, avoid unnecessary meetings, and use their working hours more effectively.
#3 Reduced Carbon Footprint
A four-day work week has significant environmental benefits. Employees commuting one less day each week noticeably reduces carbon emissions. Furthermore, with fewer days spent in the office, businesses can cut down on electricity use, water consumption, and even paper waste.
“Every light switched on and every cup of coffee made is also a bill the business has to foot,” says Matthew. “Those costs may seem small, but all stacked together, businesses end up saving a lot. Saving money and the environment – it’s a win on all fronts.”
#4 Enhanced Talent Attraction And Retention
Offering a four-day work week can be a huge incentive when trying to attract and retain top talent.
“Candidates are increasingly prioritising work-life balance and flexibility in their job searches,” says Matthew. “By offering a shorter workweek, companies can position themselves as forward-thinking and employee-centric, making them more attractive to potential hires.”
Additionally, the four-day work model helps with employee retention, reducing turnover by as much as 57% in companies that have adopted the model, reducing the costs associated with high staff churn.
#5 Fairer Gender Equality
With more free time, men and women can share household responsibilities and childcare more equally, addressing long-standing societal norms that place the bulk of unpaid domestic work on women. “This can also open up more opportunities for women to pursue leadership roles, as the burden of balancing work and home life becomes less overwhelming,” says Matthew.
#6 Stronger Communities And Relationships
With an additional day off, employees have more time to engage with their communities and strengthen personal relationships. This could mean volunteering for local causes, spending more time with elderly relatives or children, or simply participating in social activities that build connections.
“Volunteering your time is easier when you have more of it to spare, after all,” says Matthew.
#7 Increased Employee Engagement
Employee engagement is a critical factor in productivity and job satisfaction, and when workers have more say in how their time is structured, they are more likely to feel motivated and invested in their work. Engagement drives innovation, creativity, and a sense of purpose, all of which are essential for a thriving workplace.
This increased engagement can also result in higher levels of job satisfaction, making employees more committed to their roles and the company’s success.
“Magnify this effect across the workforce of an entire country, and the benefits could be endless,” Matthew points out.
#8 Tourism And Leisure Sector Growth
With an extra day of free time each week, employees are more likely to take short trips or mini-vacations, boosting local tourism and leisure sectors. The four-day week would give people more time to explore new places, participate in recreational activities, and spend more on experiences, leading to economic growth in these industries.
“The tourism and hospitality sector has highlighted that they might struggle with implementing a four-day workweek,” Matthew says. “But this new influx of profit as a result of the extra day off could be invested back into businesses, allowing them to hire extra staff, giving them more flexibility to allow their workers to shorten their working week.”
Matthew Woodward commented:
“While the four-day workweek presents clear benefits, it also brings challenges. Not all sectors or job roles are suited to this change. For example, healthcare, retail, and services that require 24/7 availability may struggle to implement a four-day week without hiring more staff, which might not be cost-effective. Collaboration and communication are key to success in many industries, and these can be harder to achieve with fewer working days.
“However, businesses could leverage collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Zoom to maintain connectivity and ensure productivity even with reduced face-to-face time. Flexible scheduling, where employees choose their off days, could also ensure adequate coverage for sectors or businesses where 24/7 coverage is needed.”
