Insa Wrede
DW
A few dozen German companies have allowed their staff to work four days a week without cutting their wages accordingly. The trial showed promising gains, but are they sustainable across the economy?
A few dozen German companies have allowed their staff to work four days a week without cutting their wages accordingly. The trial showed promising gains, but are they sustainable across the economy?
Working less, feeling better, and even being more productive sounds like hitting the jackpot for firms and their staff
Image: Ute Grabowsky//photothek/imago images
Earlier this year, some 45 German firms launched a 4-day workweek project to find out if such a fundamental change to how we work can achieve positive results for employers and employees.
For six months, and closely watched by researchers from Münster University in Germany, the volunteer companies allowed their employees to work fewer hours without reducing their salaries. The pilot run was initiated by Berlin-based management consultancy, Intraprenör, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization 4 Day Week Global (4DWG).
Achieving the same output with fewer hours and the same pay requires greater productivity. Initially, this might imply more stress and a heavier workload — but does it have to be that way?
Earlier this year, some 45 German firms launched a 4-day workweek project to find out if such a fundamental change to how we work can achieve positive results for employers and employees.
For six months, and closely watched by researchers from Münster University in Germany, the volunteer companies allowed their employees to work fewer hours without reducing their salaries. The pilot run was initiated by Berlin-based management consultancy, Intraprenör, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization 4 Day Week Global (4DWG).
Achieving the same output with fewer hours and the same pay requires greater productivity. Initially, this might imply more stress and a heavier workload — but does it have to be that way?
Key metric is productivity
To objectively assess the effects of reduced working hours, researchers did more than just conduct surveys and interviews. They also analyzed hair samples to gauge stress levels and used fitness trackers to collect physiological data like heart rate, activity level, and sleep quality.
Julia Backmann, the scientific lead of the pilot study, says employees generally felt better with fewer hours and remained just as productive as they were with a five-day week, and, in some cases, were even more productive.
Participants reported significant improvements in mental and physical health, she told DW, and showed less stress and burnout symptoms, as confirmed by data from smartwatches tracking daily stress minutes.
A shorter workweek is conducive to health, at least in the short term, experts sayImage: Khakimullin Aleksandr D9/Zoonar/picture alliance
According to Backmann's findings, two out of three employees reported fewer distractions because processes were optimized. Over half of the companies redesigned their meetings to make them less frequent and shorter, while one in four companies adopted new digital tools to boost efficiency.
"The potential of shorter working hours seems to be stifled by complex processes, too many meetings, and low digitalization," said Carsten Meier from Intraprenör.
Surprises regarding health and environmental impact
The study has also shown that participants were more physically active during the 4-day workweek, and they slept an average of 38 minutes more per week than those in the five-day control group. However, monthly sick days only dropped slightly, a statistically insignificant difference compared to the same period a year ago.
Marika Platz from Münster University, who analyzed the data, said she was surprised at the number of sick days because similar studies in other countries showed a significant reduction.
Another surprise, she told DW, was the lack of environmental benefits from reduced working hours during the German test as other countries reported a positive impact from offices that could be shut down completely for one day, and fewer commutes to work that resulted in higher energy savings. The reason for this was probably that some German employees took advantage of the long weekends to travel, she said, which reduced any potential energy savings.
According to Backmann's findings, two out of three employees reported fewer distractions because processes were optimized. Over half of the companies redesigned their meetings to make them less frequent and shorter, while one in four companies adopted new digital tools to boost efficiency.
"The potential of shorter working hours seems to be stifled by complex processes, too many meetings, and low digitalization," said Carsten Meier from Intraprenör.
Surprises regarding health and environmental impact
The study has also shown that participants were more physically active during the 4-day workweek, and they slept an average of 38 minutes more per week than those in the five-day control group. However, monthly sick days only dropped slightly, a statistically insignificant difference compared to the same period a year ago.
Marika Platz from Münster University, who analyzed the data, said she was surprised at the number of sick days because similar studies in other countries showed a significant reduction.
Another surprise, she told DW, was the lack of environmental benefits from reduced working hours during the German test as other countries reported a positive impact from offices that could be shut down completely for one day, and fewer commutes to work that resulted in higher energy savings. The reason for this was probably that some German employees took advantage of the long weekends to travel, she said, which reduced any potential energy savings.
In many professions, a shorter workweek doesn't create productivity gainsImage: picture alliance/dpa
Flawed data from a skewed test?
A closer look at the design of the study, however, might raise some doubt about how useful the findings are.
Two companies voluntarily dropped out in the course of the six months, and two others had to be excluded from the evaluation. Of the remaining 41 participating companies, only about a third reduced weekly working hours by an entire day.
Around 20% reduced hours by between 11% and 19% per day, while about half cut work time by less than 10%, or roughly four hours per week. So, in total only in 85% of the cases did employees get a full day off.
The limited number of participating companies also makes the study hardly representative of Germany and its more than 3 million registered firms. This has been because the project struggled to find enough interested employers since it was first mooted two years ago, said Marika Platz, because part-time work is already relatively common in Germany.
Labor market expert Enzo Weber is skeptical about the pilot project, saying that companies participating in such trials are generally already positive toward the 4-day workweek, making them an unrepresentative sample of the economy.
In addition, the researcher at the University of Regensburg and the Institute for Employment Research in Germany, told DW the project's productivity gains may not be due to shorter hours alone, as processes and organizational structures were also modified.
Weber also believes the positive results might not be sustainable due to the increased work compression that will likely come at the expense of employees' social, communicative, and creative aspects. "The effects often don't manifest immediately but rather in the medium term," Weber said, noting that those studies generally cover only a relatively short period of six months.
According to Steffen Kampeter, CEO of Germany's Employers Association BDA, companies that operate in international markets consciously chose not to participate in the trial. He also questions the productivity gains, arguing that "a four-day week with full pay is just a significant wage increase, which most companies cannot afford."
4-day workweek bottom line
Of those 41 companies that have participated in the trial, more than 70% said they were planning to continue with the project. Some said they would extend the trial phase, while others are considering implementing reduced hours directly.
Study director Backmann stressed, however, that the study was not about advocating for a blanket rollout of the 4-day workweek across all sectors, but rather exploring "an innovative work-time model and its effects."
And Carsten Meier from the Intraprenör consultancy added that the positive results of the trial cannot be "automatically translated" into similar gains for every company in Germany.
This article was originally written in German.
A closer look at the design of the study, however, might raise some doubt about how useful the findings are.
Two companies voluntarily dropped out in the course of the six months, and two others had to be excluded from the evaluation. Of the remaining 41 participating companies, only about a third reduced weekly working hours by an entire day.
Around 20% reduced hours by between 11% and 19% per day, while about half cut work time by less than 10%, or roughly four hours per week. So, in total only in 85% of the cases did employees get a full day off.
The limited number of participating companies also makes the study hardly representative of Germany and its more than 3 million registered firms. This has been because the project struggled to find enough interested employers since it was first mooted two years ago, said Marika Platz, because part-time work is already relatively common in Germany.
Labor market expert Enzo Weber is skeptical about the pilot project, saying that companies participating in such trials are generally already positive toward the 4-day workweek, making them an unrepresentative sample of the economy.
In addition, the researcher at the University of Regensburg and the Institute for Employment Research in Germany, told DW the project's productivity gains may not be due to shorter hours alone, as processes and organizational structures were also modified.
Weber also believes the positive results might not be sustainable due to the increased work compression that will likely come at the expense of employees' social, communicative, and creative aspects. "The effects often don't manifest immediately but rather in the medium term," Weber said, noting that those studies generally cover only a relatively short period of six months.
According to Steffen Kampeter, CEO of Germany's Employers Association BDA, companies that operate in international markets consciously chose not to participate in the trial. He also questions the productivity gains, arguing that "a four-day week with full pay is just a significant wage increase, which most companies cannot afford."
4-day workweek bottom line
Of those 41 companies that have participated in the trial, more than 70% said they were planning to continue with the project. Some said they would extend the trial phase, while others are considering implementing reduced hours directly.
Study director Backmann stressed, however, that the study was not about advocating for a blanket rollout of the 4-day workweek across all sectors, but rather exploring "an innovative work-time model and its effects."
And Carsten Meier from the Intraprenör consultancy added that the positive results of the trial cannot be "automatically translated" into similar gains for every company in Germany.
This article was originally written in German.
UK
Torfaen housing association joins four-day working week trial
Elizabeth Birt
Tue 5 November 2024
Bron Afon has started a four-day working week trial
Salma Ouaguira
Mon 4 November 2024
More businesses start new four-day week trial to test its effectiveness (PA Wire)
A new six-month experiment involving 17 UK companies and more than 1,000 employees has launched this week to test whether a shorter working week can enhance productivity.
The initiative marks the second phase of the 4 Day Week Campaign, with the latest participants including the Hackney-based Crate brewery and the British Society for Immunology (BSI).
Under the plans, employees work four days per week but retain their full salaries.
This follows a successful trial in 2022, where 56 out of 61 participating businesses opted to adopt the reduced hours on a permanent basis.
Businesses said the trial resulted in an improved work-life balance, reduced stress, and no significant decline in performance.
A new six-month experiment involving 17 UK companies and more than 1,000 employees has launched this week (Getty Images)
As the new trial begins, the 4 Day Week Campaign will gather comprehensive data on employee morale, productivity levels, and burnout rates.
The findings will be submitted to the government next summer, with backing from researchers at Cambridge University, the Autonomy Institute, and Boston College in Massachusetts.
The previous Conservative government criticised the changes describing the four-day working week as “part-time work for full-time pay”.
But the Labour Party has been more receptive to the concept, with deputy prime minister Angela Rayner emphasising flexible working arrangements pose no threat to economic stability.
The government did however confirm back in August it would not make the arrangement compulsory, with a spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade spokesperson saying: “We have no plans to impose a four-day working week on employers or employees.”
Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: “With 50 per cent more free time and no loss in pay, a four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives.”
Georgia Pearson, people manager at Crate Brewery, is also enthusiastic about participating in the trial, describing it as “groundbreaking” for the hospitality sector.
She said: “Although we’ve never struggled with retention, we recognise the competitive advantage that comes with being ahead of the curve.”
She believes embracing this shift gives the company a competitive edge, enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.
Doug Brown, chief executive of the BSI, echoed this sentiment claiming adopting a four-day week will improve staff work-life balance - making the organisation a more appealing employer. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining high-quality service during this transition.
Currently, around 200 UK businesses have been accredited by the 4 Day Week Campaign for permanently adopting this model.
Some 58 per cent of the public say taking a three-day weekend will be “the normal way of working” by 2030 – with only 22 per cent believing it won’t, according to research by Survation.
A survey last summer revealed approximately six per cent of full-time workers in the UK are already working four-day weeks, suggesting up to 1.5 million employees could now be benefiting from this new approach to work.
Torfaen housing association joins four-day working week trial
Elizabeth Birt
Tue 5 November 2024
Bron Afon has started a four-day working week trial
(Image: TOM WEST BEEHIVE PHOTOGRAPHY)
A Torfaen housing association has joined a UK-wide four-day working week trial.
Bron Afon, based in Cwmbran, is one of 17 companies participating in the six-month trial.
The trial, which started on Monday, involves around 1,000 workers testing either a four-day week, a shorter working week, or a nine-day fortnight.
Most of the companies, including Bron Afon, are trialling a four-day week with no loss of pay for workers.
Unji Mathur, executive director of people, change, and technology at Bron Afon, said: "The wellbeing of our colleagues is a priority for us and the four-day week encourages teams to think creatively about how we use our time.
"We’ve already learnt so much about the art of the possible and I’m sure there will be more to learn during our pilot.
"Our customers are and always will be our top priority and we remain committed to delivering great customer service."
The trial is being run by the 4 Day Week Campaign, flexible working consultancy Timewise, and with research support from University of Cambridge, Boston College, and The Autonomy Institute.
The results will be presented to the new Labour Government in summer 2025.
Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: "We don't have to just imagine a four-day week anymore - because it's already a reality for hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of workers in the UK.
"With 50 per cent more free time and no loss in pay, a four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives.
"We look forward to presenting the results of this latest trial to the new Labour Government next summer."
Claire Campbell, CEO of Timewise, said: "It’s great to see a wide range of employers participating in this latest trial.
"Many have frontline staff, and the pilots provide an opportunity to think creatively about how to deliver a five or seven day service whilst offering staff a four-day week.
"We look forward to sharing the results next year, adding to the body of evidence that supporting people with choices about their working lives makes business sense."
More than 1,000 employees join latest four-day working week trial
A Torfaen housing association has joined a UK-wide four-day working week trial.
Bron Afon, based in Cwmbran, is one of 17 companies participating in the six-month trial.
The trial, which started on Monday, involves around 1,000 workers testing either a four-day week, a shorter working week, or a nine-day fortnight.
Most of the companies, including Bron Afon, are trialling a four-day week with no loss of pay for workers.
Unji Mathur, executive director of people, change, and technology at Bron Afon, said: "The wellbeing of our colleagues is a priority for us and the four-day week encourages teams to think creatively about how we use our time.
"We’ve already learnt so much about the art of the possible and I’m sure there will be more to learn during our pilot.
"Our customers are and always will be our top priority and we remain committed to delivering great customer service."
The trial is being run by the 4 Day Week Campaign, flexible working consultancy Timewise, and with research support from University of Cambridge, Boston College, and The Autonomy Institute.
The results will be presented to the new Labour Government in summer 2025.
Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: "We don't have to just imagine a four-day week anymore - because it's already a reality for hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of workers in the UK.
"With 50 per cent more free time and no loss in pay, a four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives.
"We look forward to presenting the results of this latest trial to the new Labour Government next summer."
Claire Campbell, CEO of Timewise, said: "It’s great to see a wide range of employers participating in this latest trial.
"Many have frontline staff, and the pilots provide an opportunity to think creatively about how to deliver a five or seven day service whilst offering staff a four-day week.
"We look forward to sharing the results next year, adding to the body of evidence that supporting people with choices about their working lives makes business sense."
More than 1,000 employees join latest four-day working week trial
Salma Ouaguira
Mon 4 November 2024
More businesses start new four-day week trial to test its effectiveness (PA Wire)
A new six-month experiment involving 17 UK companies and more than 1,000 employees has launched this week to test whether a shorter working week can enhance productivity.
The initiative marks the second phase of the 4 Day Week Campaign, with the latest participants including the Hackney-based Crate brewery and the British Society for Immunology (BSI).
Under the plans, employees work four days per week but retain their full salaries.
This follows a successful trial in 2022, where 56 out of 61 participating businesses opted to adopt the reduced hours on a permanent basis.
Businesses said the trial resulted in an improved work-life balance, reduced stress, and no significant decline in performance.
A new six-month experiment involving 17 UK companies and more than 1,000 employees has launched this week (Getty Images)
As the new trial begins, the 4 Day Week Campaign will gather comprehensive data on employee morale, productivity levels, and burnout rates.
The findings will be submitted to the government next summer, with backing from researchers at Cambridge University, the Autonomy Institute, and Boston College in Massachusetts.
The previous Conservative government criticised the changes describing the four-day working week as “part-time work for full-time pay”.
But the Labour Party has been more receptive to the concept, with deputy prime minister Angela Rayner emphasising flexible working arrangements pose no threat to economic stability.
The government did however confirm back in August it would not make the arrangement compulsory, with a spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade spokesperson saying: “We have no plans to impose a four-day working week on employers or employees.”
Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: “With 50 per cent more free time and no loss in pay, a four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives.”
Georgia Pearson, people manager at Crate Brewery, is also enthusiastic about participating in the trial, describing it as “groundbreaking” for the hospitality sector.
She said: “Although we’ve never struggled with retention, we recognise the competitive advantage that comes with being ahead of the curve.”
She believes embracing this shift gives the company a competitive edge, enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.
Doug Brown, chief executive of the BSI, echoed this sentiment claiming adopting a four-day week will improve staff work-life balance - making the organisation a more appealing employer. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining high-quality service during this transition.
Currently, around 200 UK businesses have been accredited by the 4 Day Week Campaign for permanently adopting this model.
Some 58 per cent of the public say taking a three-day weekend will be “the normal way of working” by 2030 – with only 22 per cent believing it won’t, according to research by Survation.
A survey last summer revealed approximately six per cent of full-time workers in the UK are already working four-day weeks, suggesting up to 1.5 million employees could now be benefiting from this new approach to work.
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