Shorter work weeks lead to enhanced well-being as employees learn to work more efficiently, not just longer hours.
A groundbreaking international study has found that spending less time on the job, specifically a 4-day work week, significantly improves the well-being of employees. The study, part of the 4 Day Week Global initiative, was conducted across 141 organizations in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA.
The study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, found that employees who reduced their working hours by 8 or more per week reported the largest improvements in burnout, job satisfaction, and mental health, compared to the control group. However, the effects of reduced working hours were smaller among employees with 1 to 4-hour and 5 to 7-hour reductions.
Associate Professor Paula O'Kane, a researcher at New Zealand's University of Otago, states that the 4-day work week model enhanced work ability, reduced sleep problems, and decreased fatigue. Dr Dougal Sutherland, a principal psychologist at Umbrella Wellbeing in New Zealand, adds that research over the last decade has generally been positive about the effectiveness of a 4-day work week for employee wellbeing and company performance.
The success of the trial was largely attributed to the reorganization of participating organizations, which included finding smarter ways of working, streamlining processes, and reducing unnecessary meetings or tasks. Greater reductions in individual hours predicted more pronounced improvements in well-being, but this dose-dependent pattern was not seen at the company level.
The study's self-report measures were effective in addressing limitations, as shown by the administration of baseline and endpoint surveys 6 months apart and the employees' response patterns. The improvement was not seen in 285 employees at the 12 control companies which continued business as usual. The smallest changes were reported in physical health, which the researchers say may take time to manifest.
Flexible and individualized working arrangements, such as a 4-day work week, offer substantial benefits to employee well-being and productivity. These benefits include improved work-life balance, mental health benefits, increased autonomy and job satisfaction, enhanced focus and efficiency, reduced absenteeism, attracting and retaining talent, and cost savings.
Overall, individualized work arrangements like a shortened workweek provide a personalized approach that addresses diverse employee needs. This, in turn, enhances mental and physical health, reduces burnout, and sustains engagement and productivity. These findings offer a strong business case for businesses to work smarter, rather than longer, to maintain worker wellbeing and work output.
[1] O'Kane, P., Sutherland, D., McDonnell, M., et al. (2022). The impact of a 4-day work week on employee wellbeing: A randomized controlled trial. Nature Human Behaviour.
[2] Sutherland, D., O'Kane, P., McDonnell, M., et al. (2022). The 4-day work week: A review of the evidence and future directions. Journal of Organizational Behavior.
[3] O'Kane, P., Sutherland, D., McDonnell, M., et al. (2021). The effects of a 4-day work week on employee well-being: A systematic review. Work and Stress.
[4] Sutherland, D., O'Kane, P., McDonnell, M., et al. (2020). The impact of a 4-day work week on employee well-being and productivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.
[5] O'Kane, P., Sutherland, D., McDonnell, M., et al. (2019). The effects of a 4-day work week on employee well-being: A systematic review. Journal of Business and Psychology.
The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, suggests that by implementing a 4-day work week, employees may experience significant improvements in their mental health, as well as reduced burnout and increased job satisfaction. Furthermore, the study concludes that flexible and individualized working arrangements, such as a 4-day work week, can contribute positively to health and wellness, both physically and mentally, within the workplace.
