Study Finds Four-Day Work Week Boosts Health, Job Satisfaction, and Productivity

The Big Picture

Moving to a four-day work week without cutting pay leads to happier, healthier, and higher-performing employees, according to the largest trial to date. The six-month study, involving nearly 3,000 workers across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the UK, found a significant drop in burnout, along with gains in job satisfaction and overall health.

What’s New

The trial’s findings were published on July 21 in Nature Human Behaviour. Researchers initially feared that condensed schedules might worsen well-being due to intensified work. But, as lead author Wen Fan, a sociologist at Boston College, explained, “That’s not what we found.” Instead, employees experienced lower stress levels.

The experiment began with an eight-week planning period where companies restructured their workflows—eliminating unnecessary meetings and distractions—to preserve productivity at 80% of prior levels. Employees answered mental and physical health surveys before and after the six-month shift.

Background: Pandemic Upheaval

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, employee burnout surged and led to widespread resignations, according to the researchers. With morale at a low point and vacancies high, the four-day work week was proposed as a remedy. Participating companies voluntarily enrolled and adjusted work routines to make the transition viable.

Insights from the Trial

By the end of the six months, workers felt better about their job performance and reported stronger mental well-being. The study did not directly evaluate total company output, but the researchers suggest rest played a critical role in preserving efficiency. As economist Pedro Gomes of Birkbeck University of London noted, “When people are more well rested, they make fewer mistakes and work more intensely.”

Interestingly, follow-up surveys conducted 12 months after the trial showed the improvements had staying power. Despite concerns of the novelty effect wearing off, employees’ satisfaction and well-being remained high.

What’s Next

The researchers stress that their findings are promising but not conclusive. Since companies volunteered for the trial, they may have been predisposed to positive outcomes. And because all results were self-reported, there’s a risk of optimism bias. The study authors are calling for randomized controlled trials to establish broader credibility.

The Bottom Line

The four-day work week, once a dream for many workers, is now backed by significant evidence showing its positive impact on mental health, satisfaction, and performance. As more companies seek ways to retain talent and boost productivity, this model may gain momentum—especially if future studies validate the results across wider industries.

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