Americans Need a 4-Day Workweek (2024)

FAQs

Will the US ever get a four-day work week? ›

Is the U.S. on the cusp of a big shift to four-day workweeks? No. Of the 482 managers at firms that don't currently offer four-day workweeks, two-thirds said there is no chance their firms will offer them by the end of 2024. The other one-third say the chances are only 16 percent, on average.

Yet, despite the clear demand, a condensed workweek is hardly mainstream at this point. According to a four-day workweek study released in 2023, only 1% of employers are currently piloting a four-day schedule, with an additional 14% considering the option.

Some four-day workweek models are compressed workweeks, where employees work four 10-hour days to fit the same amount of working hours into fewer days. Other four-day workweeks have reduced hours, where employees are expected to complete all their work in 32 hours — but still get paid a full salary.

Belgium became the first country in Europe to legislate for a four-day week. In February 2022, Belgian employees won the right to perform a full workweek in four days instead of the usual five without loss of salary.

Pros of a 4-day work week can include cost savings, increased productivity, and employee retention. Some disadvantages, however, can include scheduling challenges, reduced productivity, and added stress.

This bill shortens the standard workweek under federal law from 40 hours to 32 hours over a three-year phase in period.

The top reasons workers cite for favoring a four-day workweek in the survey, as well as others, are it would improve work-life balance and physical and mental health. It also helped the environment, supporters claimed, by taking some commuting traffic off the streets.

The research conducted before and after the trial revealed that 39% of employees experienced lower stress levels and 71% noticed less burnout while working shorter weeks. Anxiety, fatigue, and sleep issues all decreased while physical and mental health significantly improved.

During the Depression, President Herbert Hoover called for a reduction in work hours in lieu of layoffs. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which established a five-day, 40-hour workweek for many workers.

Your pay can decrease when changing to a 4-day work week, but generally, it's not the case. This new initiative aims to keep the income the same to keep everyone happy. If the employer decided to decrease the wage, it wouldn't be worth it for many employees, and they might choose to get another job.

What is the best day to take off in a 4 day week? ›

He told Quartz magazine that research shows that Wednesday is the best day for taking a break. “When you know that you only have to power through two days before you get a break, you'll be more focused and productive,” he explained. “Plus you may have more options when you are available mid-week.”

Lithuania and France have also made strides towards shorter workweeks, albeit through different approaches. While Lithuania offers parents with young children the option to work 32 hours a week, France, with its legally mandated 35-hour workweek, has seen many businesses embracing the four-day workweek voluntarily.

“My guess is a widespread four-day workweek could be years away – if ever,” he said. “You'll see companies quietly experimenting with it, but I don't personally foresee widespread adoption in the next couple of years.”

However, a mandatory 32-hour workweek is bad policy, said Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., the ranking HELP committee member. Shortening the workweek, he predicted, will hurt productivity, which could result in the U.S. losing its status as the world's wealthiest nation and potentially lead to offshoring of jobs.

Globally, the average work week is closer to 40 hours. At one extreme, Bhutan holds the record for the longest work week globally, at 54.4 hours per week, according to the ILO. While at the other, workers in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati enjoy the shortest work week at just 27.2 hours.

Some US states, including California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, are interested in implementing a shorter workweek after seeing its success in the UK trials. In particular, Maryland introduced a bill in January 2023 that would create a trial program for employers.

And a four-day work week is at the top of their wish list, according to a new survey from Bankrate. A majority of full-time workers and job seekers — 81% — support a four-day work week versus a traditional five-day schedule. Of those workers, 89% said they would be willing to make sacrifices to work just four days.

Shortest amount of time working per week per employed person

The United States falls roughly in the middle with 36.4 hours worked weekly, which is higher than most of Europe but lower than China and Russia.

While there is no nationwide law mandating reduced work hours and no major unions have publicly called for it, an increasing number of businesses are adopting four-day work weeks. Given the worldwide popularity and positive results of the approach, this trend is likely to continue to grow in Canada.