Benefits of a Four-Day Work Week for Employees and Employers: New Study Insights

Recent research indicates that adopting a four-day work week can significantly enhance both employee well-being and organizational productivity. A comprehensive global study involving nearly 2,900 workers across 141 businesses in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, and the United States found that shifting to a four-day schedule—where employees work approximately 80% of their usual hours with no pay reduction—leads to notable improvements in mental health, job satisfaction, and reductions in burnout.

Participants reported feeling less fatigued and more satisfied with their jobs, along with better overall mental and physical health. The study revealed a dose-response relationship, meaning that the greater the reduction in hours worked, the more significant the improvements in well-being. Even employees with smaller reductions experienced benefits, such as improved sleep, increased work effectiveness, and reduced exhaustion.

The findings suggest that reorganizing work hours to a four-day week encourages workers to optimize their workflow and enhance their perceptions of work ability, ultimately fostering a stronger sense of job performance and satisfaction. While the companies involved were already inclined toward flexible work arrangements, industry experts believe that wider implementation could benefit a broader range of organizations.

However, further research encompassing diverse industries and company sizes is necessary to validate these positive outcomes universally. Overall, these insights support the idea that shorter workweeks can be a valuable strategy for promoting healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-day-week-benefits-workers-employers.html