A new global study revealed that a four-day workweek with full pay greatly boosted employee well-being—reducing burnout, enhancing mental health, and increasing job satisfaction—particularly among those who cut back their hours the most.
One silver lining of the COVID-19 restrictions was a renewed focus on work-life balance. In response, countries like Iceland, Spain, the UK, Japan, Belgium, and the UAE have since tested or implemented four-day workweek models.
A major international study led by Boston College explored the effects of switching to a four-day workweek without reducing pay—and the results likely won’t surprise many.
Six-Month Trial Across Six Countries Shows Flexible Four-Day Week Boosts Productivity
The study included 2,896 employees from 141 companies across six countries (the U.S., U.K., Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand), compared with 12 control companies that maintained a standard workweek. Over a six-month trial, participating companies restructured operations to cut unnecessary tasks like meetings, allowing staff to work roughly 80% of their original hours while still earning full pay. Companies were free to choose how to implement the reduced hours, so not all workers followed a strict four-day schedule.
Researchers assessed employee well-being by measuring burnout, job satisfaction, mental and physical health, and factors like work demands, schedule flexibility, sleep quality, fatigue, and exercise. They found that average weekly hours for the four-day group dropped from about 39 to 34, while the control group stayed at 39–40 hours. Compared to the control group, those with reduced hours experienced lower burnout, better mental health, higher job satisfaction, and modest improvements in physical health.
Notably, the study showed that individual reductions in work hours had the strongest link to well-being gains, while company-wide changes were beneficial but didn’t show the same clear dose-response pattern.
Depositphotos
Better Sleep, Energy, and Job Confidence Drive Four-Day Week Gains
Three key factors largely explained the benefits observed in the study: improved work ability (how competent employees felt in their roles), better sleep, and reduced fatigue. Additional contributors included modest gains in schedule flexibility, physical activity, and workplace support. Interestingly, while individual workers felt reduced job demands, company-wide demands slightly increased, likely due to busier workdays compressed into fewer hours.
“Even after accounting for these factors, reduced work hours still strongly predicted better well-being, particularly lower burnout and greater job satisfaction,” the researchers noted. “Other factors may be at play, such as a boost in intrinsic motivation or the positive effects of organizational change, though these weren’t measured.”
Experts Hail Study as a Milestone in Four-Day Workweek Research
Experts have praised the study for its robust methodology. Dr. Dougal Sutherland, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Umbrella Wellbeing in New Zealand, noted, “Past research has generally supported the four-day workweek, but often lacked proper controls or consistent data. This study raises the bar with its large sample and well-structured design, showing that employee well-being improved over six months alongside perceived increases in productivity, rest, and energy.”
He emphasized that the trial’s success likely hinged on preparation: participating companies were coached beforehand to streamline operations and cut unnecessary tasks. Without this kind of structural support, simply reducing hours might not lead to the same results.
Still, the study has limitations. It wasn’t randomized—companies volunteered to join, which may introduce bias. Most were small businesses from wealthy, English-speaking nations, and all control firms were U.S.-based nonprofits or social service organizations. The reliance on self-reported data could also be influenced by participants’ expectations. And since the study lasted only six months, longer-term effects remain unknown.
Despite these caveats, the research strongly suggests that a four-day workweek with full pay can meaningfully improve employee well-being—particularly mental health and job satisfaction—when paired with thoughtful organizational changes.
Read the original article on: New atlas
Read more: Natural Compound Replicates Exercise’s Anti-Aging effects – Without the Need for a Workout