Four-day workweek may not be pipe dream after all

My law firm colleagues and I were recently discussing our workplace predictions for the future, and one of the trends we considered was the potential shift to more flexible schedules, including a four-day workweek. Turns out, we aren’t the only ones thinking about it. The topic is being discussed around the world!

‘Overwhelming success’ in Iceland

A worldwide decline in both physical and mental health has led employers to examine various strategies to improve employee morale. Many companies have already become increasingly flexible regarding how and where people work (in-person versus remote work). Interestingly, there also could be a shift in employer receptiveness to when people work.

Recently, researchers in Iceland found a four-day workweek, without a pay cut, improved workers’ well-being and productivity. Sponsored by the country’s national government, a trial took place between 2015 and 2019 involving 2,500 workers (more than one percent of Iceland’s working population) across a variety of industries who moved from working 40 hours in a week to 35 or 36 hours per week.

The hypothesis for the study was that an employee who worked fewer hours and received the same pay would consistently get the same amount of work done in less time. The result? An “overwhelming success,” according to researchers.

The employees who participated reported a “dramatic” improvement to their well-being and a lower stress level. There were positive responses from the employers as well: Worker productivity improved or remained the same during the trial period.