The concept of a four-day work week has been gaining momentum worldwide, and in Sweden, the Green Party recently expressed their desire to see it implemented. It's not surprising that this idea is gaining traction; what’s more surprising is that it hasn’t happened sooner. With the industrial revolution came the standardization of working hours, and this structure has stayed largely the same for decades, despite significant advances in technology, productivity, and social progress.
How the work week was standardized
During the early 20th century, the idea of regulating working hours began to take root. The Ford Motor Company famously introduced the eight-hour workday in 1914, which was revolutionary at the time. In Sweden, the eight-hour workday became law in 1919, although a six-day work week still remained the norm.
It wasn’t until 1971 that the 40-hour, five-day work week became legally established in Sweden, cutting back the days worked but retaining the eight-hour day. Even now, 79% of Swedes still work according to this model, despite societal advancements and the ability to work more flexibly in some sectors. Over the past 50 years, there has been little change to the structure of the work week, though some companies have experimented with a 38-hour work week or introduced more flexible hours.
Why haven’t we made more progress?
With remarkable economic growth, technological innovations, and improvements in social systems such as parental leave, one might wonder why these advancements haven’t translated into more free time for workers. After all, isn’t the goal of progress to enhance our quality of life—such as the right to choose what to do with one’s time?
This isn’t just a matter of individual choice. Reducing work hours voluntarily (which means reduced income), is a privilege that most people, particularly those in essential jobs such as teaching, healthcare, and public services, simply cannot afford. High housing costs, stagnant wages, recently inflation and rigid workplace structures mean that many workers cannot take time off without sacrificing their financial security. Moreover, reducing hours can impact pensions, parental leave benefits, and career prospects, making it an unrealistic option for the majority.
The productivity puzzle
An often-discussed aspect of the four-day work week is its impact on productivity. In recent years, several studies have shown that true productivity is often far lower than the time spent at work suggests. In the UK and Canada, research has indicated that most employees are only productive for 1.5 to 2.5 hours a day. These findings align with John Maynard Keynes’ prediction in the 1930s that humans, with the rise of automation, would eventually only need to work around 15 hours a week.
Interestingly, the four-day work week has proven to maintain, and in some cases even boost, productivity. In 2019, Microsoft Japan trialed a four-day work week and reported a 40% increase in productivity. In 2022, the UK conducted one of the largest four-day week trials involving 73 companies and 3,300 employees. The results showed that not only did productivity remain stable, but workers experienced reduced stress, burnout, and fatigue, while their work-life balance and job satisfaction improved dramatically. More than 90% of employees involved in the trial wanted to continue with the shorter week.
In Spain's Valencia region, a pilot program in 2023 scheduled four consecutive Mondays off for workers. Results showed that participants had better health, lower stress levels, and more time to engage in activities such as sports and meal preparation. The program also led to environmental benefits, with reduced commuting resulting in lower nitrogen dioxide emissions.
Global perspectives on the four-day work week
The four-day work week isn’t just gaining traction in Sweden or other high-income countries. In Brazil, 83% of workers are in favor of adopting a four-day week, with 76% believing it would increase their productivity. Poland is also considering a four-day work week or five shorter days, with 70% of the population expressing preference for the former.
Portugal’s recent trial involving 1,000 participants found that 95% rated the experience positively and wanted it to continue beyond the six-month test period. In Hong Kong, two-thirds of employees have expressed support for shorter working weeks. In Ireland, unions representing civil service workers have pushed the government to consider a similar trial.
Even in sectors like healthcare, where staff shortages are a concern, a four-day work week could prove beneficial. In the Netherlands, a study found that 82% of hospital staff believed that shorter working weeks would help attract and retain colleagues, while 93% expected an improvement in job satisfaction.
Critics and concerns
Critics argue that reducing the work week could exacerbate staff shortages in essential services like healthcare and education. There are concerns that compressed work hours could lead to increased stress, as employees struggle to complete the same amount of work in fewer days. There is also the issue of potential impacts on GDP growth, particularly in countries with aging populations and labor shortages.
However, proponents of the four-day work week emphasize the long-term benefits, such as reduced absenteeism, lower employee turnover, and improvements in physical and mental health. Economist Juliet Schor, who has studied shorter work weeks extensively, believes that working less is not only beneficial for individuals but also key to addressing global challenges such as climate change.
Moving forward: Redefining progress
The discussion around the four-day work week highlights a crucial point: productivity is only one measure of progress, and it shouldn’t be the only one. Instead, we should focus on improving overall well-being. A society where people have more control over their time—whether through a four-day work week, a six-hour workday, or a 30-hour work week—is one that values human beings over labour output.
This isn’t just an issue for the Global North. Workers everywhere, from Sweden to Brazil to Hong Kong, should benefit from the advancements that make shorter work weeks possible. More time off means more opportunities to spend with family, engage in community activities, pursue creative endeavours, or simply rest.
Ultimately, the reason to support a four-day work week is not just to increase productivity but to allow people to live fuller, more balanced lives. As more companies, unions, and governments explore this idea, it’s clear that reducing work hours should become a defining feature of human progress. If you would like to have a four-day work week as the legal norm, inform your workplace, ask your union what they do and vote or ask a political party in your country!
Sources: European Commission, Expertvalet, Vision, World Economic Forum and the 4 Day Work Week Global.
