Are 4-Day Work Weeks More Productive?

Many studies around 4-day weeks have shown that productivity amongst the workforce can improve from working one less day.

This is because a 4-day week can boost morale and engagement and allow employees to recharge, compared to if they only had 2 days off a week.

A third day off also gives people more time to get things done which might otherwise affect their focus level at work, which can improve overall productivity. 

That said, the productivity of a 4-day workweek will vary depending on several different factors, such as the company culture and how the 4-day schedule is implemented.

Additionally, certain industries or job roles may not be well-suited to a shorter workweek schedule when compared to a full week, for example, retail or financial industries where customers depend on the product or service daily. 

Other Ways To Increase Employee Productivity:

In addition to adopting a 4 day work week, there are a range of other things you can do to increase employee productivity.

These include hybrid working (a mixture of working remotely and in the office), co-working, adding greenery to your workspace and regularly networking with like-minded individuals. 

• Hybrid working 

Since 2021, there has been a significant increase in the number of businesses offering hybrid working opportunities, i.e. a mixture of working from home and the office. 

In fact, data from the CIPD shows that ‘more than three-quarters of organisations have embraced hybrid working through a mix of formal and informal arrangements’.

Hybrid and flexible working models give employees much more control over their work schedules, allowing them to work during their most productive hours.

Flexibility can result in improved focus and better productivity.

• Co-working

Another popular alternative way of working is co-working, which is where people from a wide range of different companies work together in a single shared space.

Whilst working in a co-working space, you’re surrounded by a range of different businesses and individuals and are exposed to numerous networking opportunities and events you might not otherwise have from working solely in one office or from home. 

Tramshed Tech offers co-working spaces all across South Wales, which are currently in Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Barry, Newport and Swansea.

If you’re interested in any of our co-working spaces, be sure to get in touch today with a friendly member of our team to find out more. 

• Add greenery to the workspace

While this one might come as a surprise, research has shown that exposure to natural elements, like plants, can reduce stress levels.

This is because greenery naturally creates a calm and relaxing environment, which can help employees feel more at ease and focused on their work. 

Discover the best office plants that require little maintenance here. 

• Regularly networking   

Another thing you can do to boost productivity within your workforce is to offer regular networking opportunities with like-minded individuals in the industry.

It is through these connections that employees can exchange ideas, share best practices, and learn from others' experiences. This knowledge sharing can lead to innovative solutions, more efficient work processes, and therefore improved productivity within the team.

Benefits of Working a 4 Day Week for the Employee & Employer

1. Improved work-life balance
2. Reduced absenteeism
3. Increased focus
4. Talent attraction and retention
5. Reduced costs and environmental impact 

1. Improved Work-Life Balance

The first and most obvious benefit of implementing a 4-day work week is the fact that it promotes a better work-life balance for employees.

With an extra day off, employees have more time to do the things they love, whether it be spending time with friends and family, carrying out personal projects/ hobbies, keeping fit or simply resting and recharging. 

As such, with more time in the week for yourself, this model of working can decrease stress and anxiety, promote happiness, and improve your general attitude towards work, benefiting both the employee and employer. 

What’s more, it’s no surprise that long, inflexible working hours can lead to increased employee stress and anxiety, which both have a profound impact on mental and physical health.

Having a better work-life balance, however, can dramatically help feelings of stress, which can in turn improve employee happiness and overall job satisfaction.

The benefits of a shorter workweek are vast, and there have been several studies to back that up. 

Between June and December of 2022, workers at more than 60 UK companies trialled a four-day work week whereby workers got 100% pay for working 80% of their previous hours in exchange for a commitment to maintain 100% productivity.

The majority of employers who took part in the trial state ‘they've seen productivity levels maintained, and improvements in staff retention and overall well-being.

Business revenue stayed broadly the same, there was a 65% reduction in the number of sick days and 71% of employees reported lower levels of burnout'.

2. Reduced Absenteeism

By reducing the number of days employees are required to work in the week, it’s expected that companies would see a decrease in absenteeism as a result. 

This is because employees would be less likely to call in sick or take unplanned time off when they have more time to rest and take care of themselves during their extra day off. 

One of the biggest contributors to absenteeism in the workplace is burnout and stress, as employees can feel physically and emotionally exhausted from long hours and high levels of stress.

However, by providing more time for rest and recovery, a 4-day workweek can prevent burnout and reduce the need for employees to take time off due to illness or mental health issues.

3. Increased Focus

Another huge benefit that goes hand in hand with improved productivity is increased focus. 

With a shorter workweek, employees may feel slightly more pressure to complete their daily, weekly or monthly tasks within a shortened time frame.

While pressure can sometimes be challenging, a lot of the time, it can result in increased focus and efficiency among the workforce.

Workers are less likely to call in sick or take unplanned time off when they have more time to rest.

Think about it, if you know you have less time to complete your work, you’re naturally going to prioritise tasks, minimise distractions and work that little bit harder. 

To learn more about how to improve focus and attention when working, be sure to read our blog here. 

4. Talent Attraction and Retention

A 4-day workweek can be an attractive perk for both attracting and retaining talent within an organisation.

Research within the last year showed that the highest priority of job seekers in 2023 was the "Work-life balance", and this continues into 2024.

Offering a 4-day workweek can make the company much more appealing to candidates who value having time for family, hobbies, and personal hobbies.

Nowadays, candidates are also drawn to employers that prioritise the health, wellbeing and happiness of their employees, as they know they’ll be looked after and not seen as just a number. 

A 4-day week will also help retain the employees once they’re hired, as individuals who are satisfied with work are much less likely to leave their jobs in search of a better work-life balance somewhere else.

5. Reduced Costs & Environmental Impact 

Shortening the work week to four days can reduce your overhead costs.

This is especially true when employees work the same four days, helping you to save on electricity, water, and more.

How Does A 4 Day Work Week Help The Environment?

A shorter work week reduces the amount of time employees spend commuting to and from the workplace, thus reducing their carbon footprint.

Research has shown that a shorter work week could reduce the UK's carbon footprint by up to 127 million tonnes by 2025, emphasising their potential to make the UK more green.

By implementing a 4 day work week, then, businesses can make a significant positive impact on the environment.

We are Tramshed Tech: a startup ecosystem home to 50+ companies ranging from pre-revenue start-ups to scaling businesses with 600+ registered members from the digital, creative and tech communities.

We’re currently based in Grangetown, Cardiff Central & Newport, Barry and Swansea. 

If you’re interested in joining us at any of our locations, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

For more workplace tips and tricks, check out our related blogs such as ‘4 alternative ways of working’, ‘How to improve focus and attention when working’ and ‘Top 10 proven productivity hacks’.   

Written by Kate Jones for Tramshed Tech.