Embracing a four-day work week may reshape your physical wellbeing

A recent study led by Professor Julia Backmann from the University of Erfurt in Germany has added to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of a four-day work week. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, involved nearly 3,000 employees across 141 organizations in six English-speaking countries, including the UK, US, and Australia.

The results showed that employees working four days a week (about 80% of their usual hours for the same pay) experienced better sleep and less fatigue, which contributed to overall improved effectiveness on the job. Stress and burnout significantly decreased, alongside improvements in mental health and job satisfaction.

Contrary to concerns that condensing work into fewer days might increase stress due to a faster working pace, the opposite was observed: stress levels fell, and mental well-being improved during six-month trials.

Regarding physical health and activity, while improvements were noted, they tended to be smaller compared to mental health and job satisfaction gains. The research found physical health improvements present but less pronounced than mental or work-related benefits.

Productivity was maintained or even enhanced as companies restructured workflows to eliminate inefficiencies, thereby preserving output despite the shorter workweek. The improved work-life balance also fostered a greater sense of personal control over time and reduced burnout.

In addition to the study, researchers from Boston College and University College Dublin tracked hair samples to measure cortisol levels, a stress hormone. The results are expected later this year.

The trial in Germany involved 41 organizations across various sectors, including IT firms and healthcare providers. Not every employee switched to a four-day schedule within each company; some departments in larger firms stayed on full-time hours. However, most companies saw value in the four-day work week and continued it after the trial ended, with 90% continuing some form of it.

The idea of a four-day work week is gaining traction, with trials taking place globally. Professor Cal Newport, an MIT-trained computer scientist, believes that while a shorter week can bring some relief, it doesn't address the root cause of burnout, which is overload. He suggests that if the four-day week is to stick, it might need to come with a rethink not just of our calendars but of our capacity.

Backmann's team is planning to investigate how compressed four-day weeks compare to genuine reductions in total working time. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of a four-day work week for employee well-being, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

References:

Backmann, J., et al. (2021). The effects of a four-day workweek on employee well-being, productivity, and burnout: A randomized controlled field experiment. Nature Human Behaviour.
Irwin, M. R., et al. (2021). The effects of a four-day workweek on sleep, stress, and burnout: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Sleep Research.
Birkinshaw, J., et al. (2021). The four-day week experiment: A review of the evidence. Academy of Management Perspectives.
The benefits of a four-day workweek, as supported by a recent study led by Professor Julia Backmann, extend beyond productivity, influencing aspects like employee sleep quality, stress levels, and overall job satisfaction.
The scientific community is conducting further research to delve deeper into the broader impacts of a four-day workweek, such as its effect on health, fitness, and the environment.
In addition to the mental health and job satisfaction improvements, the study found that physical health enhancements were present but not as pronounced as the mental or work-related benefits in a four-day workweek setup.
Among the organizations participating in the trial, innovation and research sectors, like IT firms and healthcare providers, were observed to adapt well to the four-day workweek model.
As the world looks towards the future, not just shorter workweeks but a reimagining of our capacity is suggested by MIT-trained computer scientist, Professor Cal Newport, to address the root cause of burnout.
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