​You may have heard this buzzing topic going around your workplace recently; the “4-day work week.” As a Recruitment Agency, we have noticed an increasing number of clients adopting this ‘trend’, solidifying the idea that a 4-day work week may soon be a reality.

For those new to the topic, a 4-day work week is a reduction in the standard 40-hour work week to 32 hours for the same pay and benefits. You may be wondering how such a seemingly favourable scenario is possible. How do business owners find this framework beneficial?

A study run by Stanford University studies has shown that productivity actually decreases as the number of hours worked increases. 40-hour weeks may be burning employees out needlessly and contributing to high employee turnover, increased stress levels, and overall dissatisfaction at work. 

Covid-19 lockdowns generated a new way of thinking surrounding work placing greater reevaluation on how we work, such as hybrid working and work-from-home migration. This has created a greater consideration for work-life balance and in turn, standardising a 4-day work week. 

Perpetual Guardian conducted a trial study of a 4-day work week. Not only did employees maintain the same level of productivity, but they also developed improvements in job satisfaction, teamwork, work/life balance, and company loyalty. Alongside this is a decrease in stress levels from 45% to 38%.

Covid-19 marked a time where humanity needed to make some crucial decisions regarding the future of work and how to best protect and promote human employees' well-being. In conclusion, the 4-day work week is a viable option for a lot of businesses that allow their employees to have meaningful careers.