Over the past couple of years, the idea of a 4-day work week has popped up everywhere. Who hasn’t dreamed of a 3-day weekend? More time to relax, hang out with family, or just sleep in without an alarm blaring at 7 a.m. The good news is this idea isn’t as far-fetched as it once seemed and has made major headlines around the world. But is it really the future of working days, or just a passing trend? Let’s break it down.
Okay, so let’s start with the basics because not everyone’s clear on what this means. A 4-day work week is exactly what it sounds like employees work for four days instead of five. Now, what makes this concept interesting is that most companies testing it aren’t cutting people’s pay. In fact, some even reduce the total hours worked.
There are two main versions:
The goal is to help people maintain their productivity while giving them more personal time. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.
Believe it or not, the 5-day work week isn’t as old as you might think. Back in the early 20th century, most people actually worked six days a week! Then, in the 1920s, Henry Ford made a bold move. He shut down his car factories on Saturdays and Sundays, giving employees a two-day weekend. He believed workers would be happier and, in turn, more productive. Spoiler alert — he was right.
Other companies soon followed Ford’s lead, and by the 1930s, the 40-hour, 5-day work week became standard in the United States. But here’s the thing — the world has changed a lot since then, with technology, remote work, and a stronger focus on mental health which is why people are now questioning whether that old model still makes sense.
So why is this suddenly such a hot topic? Well, a lot of it has to do with the pandemic. When COVID-19 hit, companies had to get creative fast. Remote work exploded, Zoom meetings became the norm, and people realized they could actually be just as productive — if not more — without being chained to their desks all week.
Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland conducted one of the world’s most extensive trials of a reduced workweek, involving over 2,500 workers across various sectors, including preschools, offices, and hospitals. The trial reduced working hours from 40 to 35–36 hours per week without any pay cuts. The results were overwhelmingly positive with improved work-life balance, and reduced stress levels.
In 2022, Belgium became the first European country to legislate a four-day workweek. The law allows employees to work their standard weekly hours over four days instead of five, providing greater flexibility without a reduction in pay. This initiative aims to give workers more control over their schedules, promoting better work-life balance.
Starting in July 2023, the UAE implemented a four-day workweek for government employees, covering nearly 90% of the country’s workforce. This move was designed to enhance productivity and improve work-life balance, aligning with global trends toward flexible working arrangements.
Japan has been exploring the four-day workweek through various trials. Notably, Microsoft Japan conducted a trial in 2019, resulting in a 40% boost in productivity. Building on such successes, Tokyo’s government announced plans to introduce a four-day workweek in April 2025 as part of broader work-style reforms aimed at improving work-life balance, especially for women.
Spain launched a pilot program in 2021, offering financial incentives to companies that reduce working hours without cutting salaries. The initiative aims to boost productivity and improve employee well-being, with trials involving various companies across the country.
Portugal
In 2023, Portugal initiated a government-funded pilot program involving 39 private-sector businesses to test the feasibility and benefits of a four-day workweek. The trial seeks to assess impacts on productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall business performance.
These examples illustrate a growing global interest in the four-day workweek.
After these headlines hit the news, the idea spread like wildfire, with employees everywhere thinking, “Wait… why aren’t we doing this?”
There are actually a few different ways companies are structuring 4-day work weeks:
You might think this is just a trendy thing for tech companies with bean bag chairs and office dogs — but it’s not. Sure, tech firms and creative agencies have led the way, but it’s catching on elsewhere too.
Industries embracing it:
Industries where it’s tougher:
That said, some companies in these sectors are getting creative. For example, rotating shifts or offering alternating four-day weeks to different teams.
Okay, so what’s the big deal? Why are people so excited about it? Well, there are quite a few benefits:
Some possible challenges include:
Switching to a 4-day week takes planning. Most successful transitions followed these steps:
It’s rarely a one-size-fits-all solution, but thoughtful trials often lead to happy surprises.
Let’s bust a few myths people tend to believe:
| Pros | Cons |
| Better work-life balance | Coverage issues in some sectors |
| Improved mental health | Longer workdays (compressed hours) |
| Increased productivity | Potential workload stress |
| Employee loyalty and retention | Not feasible everywhere |
| Less commuting = greener planet | Needs careful implementation |
Most of the evidence from trials around the world has been surprisingly positive. Employees generally report feeling more rested, happier, and often just as productive — sometimes even more so. But is it right for your business? Well, that depends.
The first thing you’ll need to look at is whether your company is in a position to experiment. Can you afford to run a trial for a few months, knowing it might not be a perfect fit? It’s a good idea to weigh up potential cost savings too — like reduced energy bills, fewer supplies used, and possibly even smaller office space needs.
That said, not every industry or team can make the switch easily. For example, customer service teams, retail staff, or daily operations that require constant coverage might need a different approach, like rotating schedules instead of everyone taking Friday off.
If you decide to test it, make sure your team is involved every step of the way. Gather feedback, check in regularly, and stay open to adjusting the setup. It might work brilliantly for some departments and not others — and that’s okay too.
So, is this the future? Well, flexibility seems to be the bigger trend. Between remote work, hybrid offices, AI tools, and a greater focus on employee wellbeing, the traditional 9-to-5 is already fading.
In 5 to 10 years, we’ll likely see more 4-day weeks, flexible scheduling, and job-sharing models — especially in industries where work can be measured by output, not just hours.
Will I get paid less on a 4-day week?
In most trials, no. Employees keep their usual pay.
Do people get more done in fewer days?
Yes — research shows productivity stays the same or improves.
Which companies already use it?
Buffer, Basecamp, Shake Shack UK, and Microsoft Japan are famous examples.
So, is the 4-day work week the future? Maybe not for every company, but it’s definitely a growing trend. People want flexibility, balance, and meaningful work — and this could be a big part of that future.
