The Four-Day Week Is Here. Will It Pay Off?
Trials across Europe and the US show output holding steady as hours fall. We look at who gains, who pays, and what it could mean for your salary.
When a group of 61 British companies cut their working week to four days in 2022, most expected a dip in output. Six months later, 56 of them chose to keep the shorter week, and revenue across the group was broadly flat.
Why productivity didn't fall
Managers reported fewer, shorter meetings and less time lost to context switching. Staff took fewer sick days and were less likely to quit, which matters in sectors where replacing one employee can cost a quarter of their salary.
The gains are not universal. Hospitals, schools and shops can't simply close on Fridays, so they need extra staff to cover the gap, and someone has to pay for them.
What it means for your pay
Most trials kept pay the same for fewer hours. Economists warn that if the idea spreads to lower-margin industries, employers may hold back future raises instead. For now, the four-day week looks most realistic in office jobs where output is measured by results, not hours.