The Four-Day Work Week: More Time, Better Results

For decades, the five-day working week has been the unquestioned norm — a relic of the industrial era that’s stubbornly clung on through the digital revolution.

But over the past few years, something rather interesting has been happening. Businesses in the UK, Australia and around the world have been trialling a four-day working week… and the results have been hard to ignore.

A four-day work week can benefit families with more time.

It’s not just about having a longer weekend (though let’s be honest, that part is very appealing). A well-designed four-day week can actually improve productivity, boost employee wellbeing, and even benefit the environment. Here’s why the idea is gathering pace.

1. Productivity Can Go Up – Not Down

One of the biggest fears for employers is that chopping a day off the week will mean less output. But trials in the UK and Australasia have shown the opposite. When people know they’ve only got four days to get their work done, they tend to waste less time, cut unnecessary meetings, and focus on what actually matters.

In fact, the recent UK pilot — the largest in the world — saw productivity either remain the same or improve in the vast majority of companies involved. Staff came in fresher, more focused, and often worked with a greater sense of urgency.

2. Better Work-Life Balance

It sounds obvious, but having an extra day off makes a huge difference to work-life balance. Whether it’s spending more time with family, tackling the never-ending to-do list at home, or simply having a proper rest, that extra day can help people reset.

In Australia, many staff who trialled a shorter week said they spent more time outdoors, exercised more, and even ate better. It’s amazing what you can do when you don’t have to cram all your “life admin” into a Saturday morning.

3. Improved Mental Health and Reduced Burnout

We’ve all heard the phrase “burning the candle at both ends”, and the modern work culture has made it almost a badge of honour. But the costs — stress, anxiety, exhaustion — are enormous.

By giving people more breathing space, a four-day week helps reduce stress levels and improve overall wellbeing. Staff return to work on Monday (or Tuesday, depending on your setup) feeling more rested, more creative, and less resentful of the week ahead.

4. Talent Attraction and Retention

In a tight labour market, perks matter — and flexibility is top of the list. A four-day week is a game-changer for attracting top talent and keeping them.

Companies in the UK trial reported a noticeable drop in staff turnover. People were simply happier and less likely to go looking elsewhere. And for smaller businesses that can’t always compete on salary, offering a shorter week can level the playing field.

5. Environmental Benefits

Fewer commuting days means less traffic on the roads, lower fuel consumption, and reduced carbon emissions. Some companies also found that with offices closed an extra day, their energy bills went down.

While it’s not going to solve climate change on its own, the environmental upsides are a nice bonus.

6. It Encourages Smarter Working Practices

A shorter week forces you to look critically at how work is done. That means fewer pointless meetings, better delegation, and more use of tech to automate repetitive tasks.

It’s a cultural shift — away from “time served” and towards “value delivered”. In other words, it’s about judging work on results, not just hours in a chair.

But… It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All

Of course, not every business can flip the switch to a four-day week overnight. Industries with shift work, 24-hour services, or seasonal demand may need a different approach — such as staggered schedules or compressed hours.

The key is flexibility. The four-day week isn’t about cramming 40 hours into fewer days; it’s about genuinely rethinking workload and priorities.

Final Word

Whether you’re in Sydney or Sheffield, the conversation about the four-day week is no longer just a fringe idea. The evidence is stacking up: when done right, it’s good for business, good for people, and good for the planet.

And who knows? One day, future generations might look back and wonder how we ever put up with working five days in a row.