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Several countries have trotted out four-day workweek trials in recent years. Another just ended, and workers say they want to keep the shorter workweek.
Where in the world? Germany, in partnership with Four Day Week Global, began a six-month trial of a four-day workweek in February with 45 participating companies, HR Brew previously reported. Following its conclusion, 73% of organizations said they planned to keep the schedule, according to a new report from Four Day Week Global. Another 20% of companies will return to the five-day workweek, and two companies ended the trial early citing economic difficulties.
Germany’s program was the second-largest pilot to date, and each company implemented the system to fit its business needs, with some employers limiting the four-day workweek to specific departments. While employees worked less, including overtime, employers did not experience a notable change in absenteeism, financial performance, or productivity, which the authors believe are positive indicators of a successful trial. Participating organizations also said that while job satisfaction and turnover were minimally impacted, they had an easier time recruiting talent.
The majority of employees (83%) said they want their four-day schedule to be permanent, and over 90% reported that their overall well-being increased.
But not everyone is on board with a shorter workweek in Germany. Amid a struggling economy, some employers in the country want longer workweeks.
“I still don’t think we should be saying that Germany needs a four-day week for all companies,” Julia Backmann, a researcher at the University of Münster, who led the study, told Bloomberg. “But I do see it for organizations that might want to do something for their employees or for their own attractiveness as an employer.”
Satellite view. Some experts believe that a four-day workweek could be the future of work, as technology changes the workforce. Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, and Portugal are among the other countries that have conducted four-day workweek trials. To date, 210 organizations globally have participated, and a majority of workers have said they have better mental and physical health, and less stress, as a result.
An extra day for reality TV spending time with loved ones sounds wonderful.
