In recent years, changes in work environments, advancements in technology, and growing emphasis on work-life balance have fueled global interest in the 4-day workweek and flexible work models. Let’s explore the latest global cases and trends.

Iceland was the first to pilot a 4-day workweek in 2015. Since then, countries such as Spain, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, U.S., and Chile have conducted trials or partially implemented similar systems, drawing global attention to the feasibility of a 4-day workweek.

Singapore is aiming to introduce flexible work arrangements across all companies, including SMEs. As of December 1, new tripartite guidelines will require all employers to review employee flexible work requests fairly within two months. While not legally binding, the guidelines pave the way for more employees to adopt flexible and 4-day work schedules.

The U.S. Congress has proposed legislation to reduce the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours over four years. According to a 2023 Washington Post-Ipsos survey, 75% of U.S. workers prefer working four 10-hour days over five 8-hour days for the same pay.

A separate study by cloud software company Qualtrics also showed that 92% of U.S. workers support fewer workdays per week, even if daily hours are longer.

From June to December 2022, 2,900 employees across 61 companies in the U.K. participated in a 4-day workweek trial, working an average of 34 hours per week (8.5 hours per day). As a result, 56 companies (92%) chose to continue the model, with 18 adopting it permanently.

The trial earned an average satisfaction score of 8.3 out of 10. Despite reduced working hours, most companies maintained productivity and business performance. Of the participants, 23 companies saw average revenue growth of 1.4% compared to pre-trial levels, while 24 companies reported a 35% increase over the six-month period. Overall, sick days decreased by 65% and employee turnover dropped by 57%.

💡 Source: U.K. think tank Autonomy’s 4-Day Workweek Pilot Report

In Germany, 45 small and medium-sized companies began piloting a 4-day workweek on February 1. Over six months, they are evaluating improvements in productivity and work efficiency.

Amid labor shortages and rising wages, Germany is exploring the 4-day model as a way to attract those unwilling to work five days a week, reduce stress among current employees, and ease wage pressures through shorter work hours.

Reducing weekly workdays and offering flexible formats can help companies attract top talent, prevent employee burnout, and increase retention. It can also streamline operations, lower management costs, and reduce commuting and childcare expenses for working parents. Most importantly, shorter weeks can boost focus and productivity.

Driven by these benefits, more companies are introducing flexible work options such as staggered start times, flextime, discretionary work hours, and remote work. As interest in the 4-day workweek grows, flexible work models are emerging as key alternatives to traditional work structures.

💻 Start Smart Work Tailored to Your Business

As flexible work becomes more common, now is the time to rethink your company’s work environment to improve operational efficiency. If your organization is considering the 4-day workweek or flexible work options, partner with Shiftee to build a structured, optimized workforce management system.

Redesign Your Work Environment with Shiftee