By Ron Prrenjasi

Most employees these days get too burnt out from work due to excessive workloads and long hours. Most would agree that adding an extra day off would be life-changing. An extra day off can be spent by spending time with loved ones, engaging in your hobbies, or spending the day catching up on sleep. What if that fantasy could become a reality one day? Many world governments have been exploring the possibility of implementing four-day workweeks due to the clear benefits to worker health, well-being, and productivity. Some governments have even initiated mock trials on four-day workweeks for workers, with the UK being most notable.

In February 2022, the UK participated in the largest-ever trial run for four-day workweeks, with 61 organizations involved and the trial set to last 6 months. None of the 61 organizations protested the four-day weeks; they all reported increased productivity, as workers had more time to rest and performed better. After the trial results were released, more and more companies started transitioning from a five-day workweek to four-days. According to Euronews, “89 percent of the organizations partaking in the trial continued using the four-day workweek a year later, and over half of the firms made the change permanent.”

England was not the only country making the shift; in February 2022, Belgian workers won the right to choose between five-day or four-day weeks. However, their four-day weeks differ from the UK’s; in the UK, workers still maintain their original hours and pay but gain an extra day off, while in Belgium, the number of hours worked per day increases to compensate for the lost workday.

Canada also tested out the four-day workweek in 2022, intending to reduce work hours by 20% and double productivity, but this has not materialized. While some jobs recognize the benefits of four-day workweeks, most organizations have not adopted this trend. The average work hours for Canadian employees increased from 35.7 in 2021 to 37.7 in 2023, the highest in 23 years. This has led to higher stress levels and less time spent with family and friends for workers around the country.

So, why hasn’t Canada transitioned to four-day weeks? The evidence in support of this change is clear, yet Canadian companies continue to ignore it. Administrators continue to prioritize a low salary-to-working-hour ratio and, as a result, maintain the status quo. An interview with the CEO of a private 1000-employee organization revealed a common justification for the refusal to adopt the 4-day workweek: “My employees already struggle to finish their work on their expected deadline. Giving them less time will, in my opinion, cause the employees to stress more and get far less work done.” – Arben Prrenjasi. By that logic, many other organizations would do the same, right? Some companies may benefit from a five-day workweek, especially if there’s a minimal positive impact on productivity due to the added rest. This is largely true in the case of fast food and counter workers, who are generally employed by larger corporations that prioritize cost-saving and productivity. Even in this case, workers still report that they work 100 times more efficiently when working shorter hours, indicating the potential benefits of a reduced workweek.

If companies care about their employees, then why don’t they switch to four-day weeks? According to a study reported by Indeed.com, “69% of employees experienced a reduction in burnout, 59% reported a decline in negative emotions, and 40% felt less stressed working a shorter week.” This information is widely known by the higher-ups at companies everywhere but is ignored. It’s baffling how they would prioritize work hours over a person’s health. The relentless pursuit of productivity feels like a marathon with no finish line, but the promise of four-day workweeks shines as a beacon of hope for a healthier work life.