Overview

• The Nature Human Behaviour study monitored 2,896 employees at 141 organisations in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand during a six-month four-day workweek intervention
• Participants cut an average of five hours per week and reported sharp declines in burnout alongside better sleep and higher job satisfaction
• Workers with reductions of eight hours or more saw the largest mental health and satisfaction boosts, while smaller hour cuts delivered more modest benefits
• Investopedia reports that 90% of trial companies made the shortened week permanent, indicating firms sustained productivity under reduced hours
• In Australia, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said four-day weeks are not on the government’s productivity reform agenda and the Australian Retailers Association has sought flexible four-day schedules for retail staff