{"id":11956,"date":"2022-04-11T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/does-the-4-day-workweek-work\/"},"modified":"2022-10-19T14:26:42","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T18:26:42","slug":"does-the-4-day-workweek-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/does-the-4-day-workweek-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Does The 4-Day Workweek Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As employees return to the office, they are re-thinking how they work and what they want their workweek to look like. Often, they are looking to maintain their remote-work setups or shift to a hybrid <\/span>arrangement.<\/p>\n

Though these two alternative schedules are heavily discussed, there are other popular but less talked about options. For example, according to a recent survey<\/a> of 4,000 workers in the U.S., 83% want a four-day workweek. In many ways, this preference is supported by a variety of studies. Researchers have found that the four-day workweek can be good for productivity, the environment, and employees’ physical and mental health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In response to the growing call for shorter workweeks, several major companies are actively testing or have permanently implemented a four-day workweek<\/a>, including the ones below. Check out what their CEOs are saying about the shift.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Becca<\/figure>
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“Wonderlic has always championed progressive, sustainable approaches to building a culture that allows people to do their best work while living their best lives. To us, becoming one of the first American companies to move to a four-day week feels like the logical next step.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Becca Callahan, CEO of Wonderlic<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Aziz<\/figure>
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“Everyone who works for Kickstarter should have the ability to help propel the company forward while also pursuing their own creative projects, spending time with loved ones, and engaging with communities and causes that are important to them.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Aziz Hasan, CEO of Kickstarter<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ryan<\/figure>
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I couldn\u2019t imagine running a company any other way. 2022 will be the year that heralds in this bold new future for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Ryan Breslow, Founder & Executive Chairman of Bolt<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Chelsea<\/figure>
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\u201cRevenue increased, everyone\u2019s happier, the same work gets done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Chelsea Fagan, CEO of The Financial Diet<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Joel<\/figure>
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\u201cThis 4-day workweek period is about well-being, mental health, and placing us as humans and our families first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Joel Gascoigne, Co-founder and CEO of Buffer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Mike<\/figure>
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\u201cWe work hard. We work smart. We get it done in four days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Mike Melillo, Co-founder & CEO of The Wanderlust Group<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Banks<\/figure>
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\u201cWe are a small business. We aren\u2019t going to be in the top 1% of compensation, but we will be in the top 1% of workweeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Banks Benitez, Co-founder & CEO of Uncharted<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Natalie<\/figure>
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\u201cThe real value of a four-day week comes from healthy pressure and forced downtime. Since we know we only have four days to get our work done, we work smarter to avoid distractions and cut through the procrastination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Natalie Nagele, Co-founder and CEO of Wildbit<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Adam<\/figure>
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“Ninety-five percent of our employees felt that the four-day workweek positively impacted their work-life balance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Adam Husney, CEO of Healthwise<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Dan<\/figure>
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\u201cLess time working + more productivity = happier employees. It\u2019s not rocket science, but it sure is music to my ears.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Dan Giuliani, Co-founder and CEO of Volt Athletics<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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While many companies have stuck with the four-day work week, others decided not to continue with it despite its positive reception and organizational benefits. For example, while Microsoft saw a 40% increase in productivity and a 23% decrease in electricity use after a month-long four-day workweek trial in its Japan offices, they did not continue with the shortened schedule. Understanding why some companies forgo the four-day workweek after experiencing its benefits will help employers decide whether to try it out for themselves, continue with the standard schedule, or seek another alternative work schedule.<\/p>\n

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Trade-Offs, Pitfalls, And Challenges<\/h2>\n

Trade-Offs, Pitfalls, And Challenges Companies who test out the four-day workweek often find that the new arrangement brings unexpected obstacles and drawbacks. Specifically, difficulties arise from:<\/p>\n