They experimented with working out for four days for six months and these were the results

The world’s largest experiment of a four-day work week, rather than a five-day one, conducted in Britain over a six-month period, revealed that it has significant benefits for workers’ mental health, without harming company productivity.

What did the job survey show?

The 61 British companies and organizations taking part in the 4-day work trial that began in June 2022 have committed to a five-fifth (20%) reduction in working hours for all their employees, with no corresponding pay cut. The findings were evaluated by a group of sociologists from the University of Cambridge (led by social sciences professor Brendan Burchill), American Boston College (led by sociology professor Juliette Shore) and the independent think tank Autonomy that focuses on the future of work.

The results of the research in the United States and Ireland had been published previously, but the test in Britain with the 4-day work was the largest ever conducted in the world, and therefore more representative. The results report has been submitted to the British Parliament.

Compared to the same period last year when the five-day period was still in effect, 71% of workers reported lower levels of burnout and 39% less stress, while there was a 65% decrease in sick days and a 57% decrease in the number of people who quit. Service to go to another company. 60% reported that they are now better able to balance the demands of their work with those of their family and social life. On the other hand, corporate revenue not only decreased due to four-day work, but also increased slightly by 1.4% on average.

The experience was organized by the international organization “4 Day Week Global” (founded by New Zealand entrepreneurs and philanthropists) and the British “4 Day Week Campaign”.

A total of about 2,900 employees from various branches (From retail, finance, banking, business consulting, IT, marketing and healthcare to animation studios and small fast food outlets) I worked four days for one semester. Throughout this period, the researchers evaluated the effects of an extra day of free time, while extensive interviews were conducted with both employees and company CEOs before, during, and after the experiment.

92% of the companies that participated in the pilot program (56 out of 61) indicated that they intended to continue with the four-day program, and in fact 18 intended to make it permanent immediately. At the end of the semester, many managers said they could not imagine going back to the Five Days, while the majority of workers said they were convinced that the Four Days would eventually prevail everywhere.

Only a few participating companies accompanied the four days with conditions such as reducing summer vacation days, recalling employees immediately if necessary, or continuing the experiment only to the extent that the company’s performance goals were met.

Before the experiment, many had wondered if we’d see an increase in productivity that would offset the decrease in working time—and that’s exactly what we found, Burchill said. Many workers have shown a great willingness to become more efficient. Long meetings with too many people have been shortened or eliminated altogether. He added that workers were less inclined to “kill” their time and actively seek technologies that improve their productivity.

“We’re really encouraged by the results, which show the many ways companies have turned the four-day workweek from dream into realpolitik, with multiple benefits,” said researcher Dr David Frane, from Cambridge’s Department of Sociology.

Do you “load” the four days with more work?

Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Days a Week Campaign, spoke of a “major milestone” and emphasized that “across a wide range of different sectors of the economy, Incredible Results Show Four Days Of Work Really “Works”.

Most workers reported that they use the extra day for shopping or household chores so that they have a free weekend for rest and recuperation. Many mentioned that they now breathe more freely at home, some have found new hobbies and interests, while others have begun to train in their profession and improve their skills. On the other hand, some seemed concerned that the four days were burdening them with more work.