Why is the 4 day work week good for environment? — 4 Day Week Global (2024)

FAQs

Why is the 4 day work week good for environment? — 4 Day Week Global? ›

If organisations adopt a 4 day working week, the daily head count in the office drops by approximately 20% and the number of cars on the road drops by at least a fifth. It's a win-win-win scenario for employees, employers and the environment.

Pilot studies in countries including the U.K., Spain, Portugal, and South Africa suggest that shorter workweeks can help employees reduce burnout, manage stress, get more sleep and exercise, spend additional quality time with loved ones, and feel all-around happier and healthier.

A four day working week improves overall mental health and decreases stress, as employees have more time to prioritise the 'life' aspect of the work-life balance. Both stress and mental illness stemming from demanding working hours can contribute to physical sickness and even decreased life expectancies.

Belgium introduces a four-day workweek for employees who want it. 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.

Employees' physical and mental health improves when organizations embrace a shorter workweek. Research shows people are less stressed, value their jobs more, and have better lives outside of work. Job satisfaction and employee engagement increase.

If organisations adopt a 4 day working week, the daily head count in the office drops by approximately 20% and the number of cars on the road drops by at least a fifth. It's a win-win-win scenario for employees, employers and the environment.

Countries testing the 4-day workweek see an average of 8% economic growth. 28. Work-from-home productivity increased by 35% during a 4-day week.

Health Benefits of a 4-Day Workweek

Participants' mental health scores increased from an average of 2.95 to 3.32 on a five-point scale, some 54% reported a reduction in negative emotions, and their rates of anxiety also fell from 2.26 to 1.96 out of a maximum of four points.

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.

With a longer weekend, students have more time to rest and engage in extracurricular activities, which can lead to better attendance during the week. This, in turn, can lead to improved academic performance. Furthermore, a four-day school week can help to boost teacher morale.

Will a 4 day work week ever happen in the US? ›

So about 5 percent of full-time American employees currently work a four-day 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.

In conclusion, the 40-hour workweek, a standard instituted in the early 20th century, may no longer be an optimal structure for today's evolving workforce and economy. The shift from manufacturing to information and service-based work and technological advancements have dramatically changed the nature of work.

Sweden. The 6 hour workday has been subject to reoccurring debate since the early 70's after the prominent sociologist and politician Alva Myrdal proposed to implement it to Sveriges socialdemokratiska kvinnoförbund.

The four-day work week may be particularly appealing to workers who have some autonomy over when and how the work gets done, or for those who regularly work more than 40 hours per week.

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.

Companies who have tested out the 4-day work week—whether those days were 10 hours long or 8 hours long—saw increased productivity. Even with reduced hours, employees were able to be more productive during working hours because they were well-rested and more fulfilled in their lives outside of work.

First, especially if employers are dictating the terms, four-day weeks could simply come to mean cramming the same amount of work time into fewer calendar days, like working four 10-hour days. That might suit some people's preferences. But for others, it's a road to more burnout, not less.

The 40-hour work week offers a consistent schedule, allowing employees to plan their personal lives and commitments around their work hours. In many countries, working beyond the 40-hour limit may qualify employees for overtime pay or additional benefits, providing financial incentives for longer hours.