In Germany, a consulting firm is launching a pilot program testing the 4‑day workweek with the aim of advocating for the work model by providing scientific evidence. It is expected at least 50 companies will participate in this 6‑month project starting February 2024.
Companies in Germany will be able to test the 4‑day workweek and receive support from Intraprenör, a Berlin consulting firm at the initiative of the pilot.
The test will be a supervised and guided six-month trial introducing reduced working hours while the salary and productivity metrics remain unchanged. Throughout the pilot period, participating companies will have access to methods, tools, and the chance to engage in discussions with others in the program. The evaluation and result publication are expected in October 2024.
Intraprenör is collaborating with the New Zealand organization 4 Day Week Global, whose aim is to transform work as we know it by supporting efficiency and productivity that does not necessarily include long work hours. It already launched several pilot programs across the world, in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
In 2022, they issued a report based on the pilot programs in the U.S. and Ireland with the participation of 33 companies. And the results were overwhelmingly positive.
Interests in adopting a shorter workweek
According to the report, revenues increased by about 8% during the trial and were 37.6% higher compared to the same period in 2021.
Work performance and productivity increased, as well as hiring, and there was a decrease in absenteeism and resignations. The employees were less stressed and less burned out, and their physical and mental health improved. Overall, their quality of life increased significantly both inside and outside the workplace.
Intraprenör is now keen to explore whether the results of similar pilot tests can be applied to German businesses and to identify the industries and sectors that benefit the most from adopting such a model.
Although no country has officially adopted the 4‑day workweek, many are currently testing pilots or implementing a shorter workweek.
Many countries have expressed interest in this type of model due to the multiple benefits. U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Representative Mark Takano, from the Democratic Party, reintroduced a bill to make a 32-hour workweek a rule in the country. Recently, Ms. Jayapal stated that “workers deserve balance in their lives, and a 32-hour workweek would deliver that,” addressing the various workers’ strikes amid current protests in the U.S. automotive industry.
According to 2022 OECD statistics, the Netherlands has the shortest working week in all of Europe, with 30.4 working hours, which is partly due to high part-time work and flexible contracts with no set working hours.
German employees prone to a 4‑day workweek
According to a recent study, 81% of full-time employees in Germany are interested in a 4‑day workweek.
One of the reasons behind this is that German employees’ connection to their work is at its lowest level since 2012, and 58% of Germans report feeling stressed on a regular basis, according to 2022 studies by Gallup and Ipsos. A 4‑day workweek is appealing to employees because it boosts satisfaction and reduces stress. It can improve the work-life balance by providing more time to relax, socialize and indulge in one’s preferred activities.
The concept can be appealing to employers as well. According to 4‑Day Week Global, 95% of companies decide to keep the model of a 4‑day workweek after the pilot test ends. There is an increase in productivity since employees are more focused during their reduced working hours. This, along with the decrease in costs, such as electricity or air-conditioning, influences company growth and profitability. Satisfied employees stay with the company long-term which further improves the public image of the company, attracting new hires, clients and partners.
A 4‑day workweek can also have disadvantages
However, notable disadvantages are also indicated by the University of Maryville.
Fewer hours can sometimes lead to more stress and fatigue because employees find it challenging to complete tasks in reduced hours. To overcome this, the University suggested better management in regards to limiting certain activities such as long meetings.
Furthermore, not all jobs can implement this model. For example, specific customer services need to remain available at any time of day or night. If the company has a shorter workweek, customers might experience longer wait times and decreased satisfaction, harming the company’s reputation and decreasing its revenue by choosing another operator.
The university also suggests that fewer working hours could decrease employee engagement as they might become less invested in the company’s success and long-term goals.
The pilot project results should shed light on new discoveries or confirm existing findings, helping companies in Germany and other countries willing to give it a go.
