30+ 4-Day Work Week Statistics & Facts [2026]

What if you had an extra day each week?

According to the latest statistics, 66% of employees are attracted to job opportunities with a shorter work week.

78% of employees believe that a shorter workweek improves their work-life balance.

And employees who had a 4-day workweek reported lower stress levels and higher job satisfaction. 

As of 2023, 33% of organizations offer a 4-day, 40-hour work week. 

Ready for a work week makeover? Uncover the statistics behind the 4-day revolution.

Top 4-day work week statistics: Editor’s Pick

1. 56% of employees would prefer working a 40-hour work week in 4 days instead of 5 days. ^[2]
2. After the switch to a 4-day workweek, employees in a study took 25% fewer sick days. ^[9]
3. Microsoft Japan implemented a 4-day workweek experiment and saw a 40% boost in productivity compared to the previous year. ^[5]
4. 40% of employees worried about their workload becoming unmanageable within a shorter workweek. ^[10]
5. 46% of HR professionals are concerned about coordinating schedules and managing coverage during the transition into a 4-day work week. ^[10]
6. Studies suggest a 4-day workweek could lead to increased employment opportunities and improved work-life balance in the future. ^[13]

General 4-day Work Week Statistics

As of 2023, 33% of organizations offer a 4-day, 40-hour work week. ^[1] 

Only 15% of companies are offering employees 4-day work weeks of 32 hours or less per week. ^[1]

56% of employees would prefer working a 40-hour work week in 4 days instead of 5 days. ^[2]

58% of employees confirmed that they would choose a 4-day workweek over a pay raise. ^[3]

The 4-day work week has been successfully implemented in Iceland, Germany, and Spain. ^[4]

Source: Drive research

Advantages of a 4-Day Work Week

Why do employees prefer a 4-day work week, even though they have to work 10 hrs per day?

According to a study by Henley Business School, 77% of workers reported increased productivity when working a 4-day week. ^[4]

66% of employees are attracted to job opportunities with a shorter work week. ^[6]

78% of employees believe that a shorter workweek improves their work-life balance. ^[7]

Employees who had a 4-day workweek reported lower stress levels and higher job satisfaction. ^[9]

After the switch to a 4-day workweek, employees in a study took 25% fewer sick days. ^[9]

Microsoft Japan implemented a 4-day workweek experiment and saw a 40% boost in productivity compared to the previous year. ^[5]

New Zealand’s Perpetual Guardian company reported that employees’ stress levels decreased by 7% while job satisfaction increased significantly after implementing a 4-day workweek. ^[8]

Disadvantages of a 4-Day Work Week

It is important to weigh both pros and cons before going into it. 

Let’s dive into the disadvantages of a 4-day workweek.

• 62% of businesses stated that implementing a 4-day workweek would require a reduction in employee salaries. ^[10]
• 39% of employees expressed concerns about a shorter workweek leading to a decrease in income. 
• 40% of employees worried about their workload becoming unmanageable within a shorter workweek. 
• 44% of HR professionals expressed concerns about the feasibility of a 4-day workweek in their respective industries. 
• 46% of HR professionals are concerned about coordinating schedules and managing coverage during the transition into a 4-day work week. 

4-Day Work Week Trends and Predictions 

It is estimated that 80% of businesses will adopt a more flexible work schedule, including shorter work weeks by 2025. ^[11]

64% of business leaders expect the 4-day work week to become the norm within the next decade. ^[12]

Studies suggest a 4-day workweek could lead to increased employment opportunities and improved work-life balance in the future. ^[13]

FAQs 

What is a 4-day workweek?

A 4-day work week is an alternative work schedule in which employees work for four days, about 32 to 40 hours, instead of the traditional five days a week, without a reduction in pay.

What are productivity statistics for a 4-day work week?

According to a study by Henley Business School, 77% of workers reported increased productivity when working a 4-day week.

Are there health benefits to a 4-day workweek?

76% of employees believed that a shorter workweek would improve their mental health and overall well-being.

A study by the SHRM revealed that 63% of HR professionals believed a 4-day workweek would enhance work-life balance for employees.

After the switch to a 4-day workweek, employees in a study took 25% fewer sick days.

Which countries have a 4-day work week?

Iceland, Germany, and Spain have implemented a 4-day workweek to the highest levels.

Final Thoughts 

A 4-day work week is an alternative work schedule in which employees work for four days, about 32 to 40 hours, instead of the traditional five days a week, without a reduction in pay.

A 4-day work week is beneficial as according to a study by Henley Business School, 77% of workers reported increased productivity when working a 4-day week. 66% of employees are attracted to job opportunities with a shorter work week.

78% of employees believe that a shorter workweek improves their work-life balance. While 39% of employees expressed concerns about a shorter workweek leading to a decrease in income, 64% of business leaders expect the 4-day workweek to become the norm within the next decade.

Sources

1. The hill. 33% of organizations tested 4-day week
2. Market research company. Global market for 4-day workweek
3. YouGov. Most Americans prefer 4-day work
4. Henley Business School. The four-day week
5. NPR. 4-day workweek boosted productivity
6. Robert Half. Effective employee retention strategies
7. Maryville.edu. Shorter Workweek: Pros and Cons for Employee Productivity
8. Perpetual Guardian. Work less, get more: New Zealand firm’s four-day week an ‘unmitigated success’
9. Harvard Business School. What leaders need to know before trying a 4 day work week
10. SHRM. The Phenomenon of the Four-Day Workweek
11. CNBC. ‘I would never go back’: Why people love the 4-day workweek, which companies are hiring, and more
12. Diverse Research. Improve Employee Wellbeing With These 7 Strategies