5 benefits of implementing the 4-day working day

Benefits and opportunities of implementing a 4-day working day

Implementing a 4-day working day is a global trend initiative. So is the establishment of a 5-hour working day or the creation of more flexible policies for teleworking. These are formulas that increase productivity and employee satisfaction. In this article, we analyse the benefits and opportunities that implementing a 4-day working day can bring for the company and we also share success stories:

1. Government support.

The Spanish government has launched a pilot project for companies interested in the proposal. The aim is to reduce working hours to 35 hours a week in order to be at levels similar to those of the EU-8. It is a three-year, 50 million euro plan that allows companies to test the reduction of hours with minimal risk. The costs of moving a company to 4-day working hours, for example, could be covered at 100% in the first year, 50% in the second year and 33% in the third year. The government aims to increase productivity, generate greater engagement with companies and reduce the turnover rate in organisations.

2. Increased productivity and well-being of the people employed.

This has been demonstrated by a study carried out in Iceland by the British consultancy Autonomy. The 4-year study collected data from 2,500 employees who reduced their working hours to 35 or 36 hours per week. The study reveals a noticeable increase in employee well-being and individual performance.

3. Positioning as an employer brand.

One of the biggest goals of any company is to position itself as a happy company. The aim is to attract and engage talent. To achieve this, several measures can be adapted, including offering team members the possibility of having a 4-day working day. This would be the example of Telefónica, which recently announced that it was considering incorporating this measure as a working model.

4. Reduction of environmental impact.

The 4-day working day also means less commuting. This has a direct impact on the carbon footprint. In addition, reducing the average working week from 5 to 4 days means a very considerable reduction in energy. This is demonstrated by the joint study carried out by the environmental organisation Platform London and the 4 Day Week Campaign. The data shows that the change from 5 to 4 working days by 2025 would reduce UK emissions by 27 million tonnes, a reduction of more than 20%.

5. Promotion of equality among workers.

The reduction of working hours in any format can represent an opportunity to bring greater equity among working people. According to INE data, the number of leaves of absence for family care was 54,723 in 2020, 87.2% of which were taken by women. Implementing a 4-hour working day represents the option of sharing family care equally. This measure is intended to give women the same opportunities as men to develop their careers.

In short, the reduction of working hours brings multiple benefits for workers and companies.

"Better quality of life for the worker, more leisure, personal and family reconciliation, small business projects and employment growth thanks to the hiring of workers to cover the hours available".

Antonio Fernández García, lecturer at the UOC's Faculty of Law and Political Science.