Some countries have already tested or even introduced it – a pilot project is now starting in Germany: 50 companies are testing the four-day week starting today. Previous studies sound promising.
Four days work, three days off. That sounds tempting to many. A survey commissioned by the umbrella organization of company health insurance companies among 3,000 employees subject to social security contributions showed last year that a majority would like to move away from full-time jobs. A narrow majority of around 52 percent of both younger people and employees aged 30 and over were in favor of a four-day week.
In a survey by the union-affiliated Hans Böckler Foundation, around 81 percent of participants said they would like a four-day week. Almost 73 percent said they would only want to reduce working hours if they received the same wages.
Two models of the four-day week
There are two models for the four-day week: One is the so-called compressed four-day week, which is already anchored in law in Belgium. The employee completes his previous workload in just four days – with a 40-hour week, a working day can be extended from eight to ten hours a day.
In the other model, working hours are not compressed, but reduced – the employee no longer works 40, but only 32 hours per week – and usually with the same pay. Several countries – such as Great Britain, Spain and Iceland – have already tested this variant, and the studies are correspondingly extensive.
Better health and high satisfaction
There is very good evidence that the four-day week is associated with a high level of satisfaction, better health and a greater work-life balance, says Laura Venz in an interview tagesschau24. She is a professor of work and organizational psychology at the Leuphana University in Lüneburg.
According to Venz, satisfaction is particularly important. The less you work, the more time you have for other things – household chores, childcare or hobbies. “We don’t actually want to sacrifice our entire lives to work, but rather there should be something beyond that.”
The change was initially unusual
The switch to the four-day week can initially be unusual for both employees and companies. “That’s actually something that we’re finding, that the first four weeks of switching to the four-day week are associated with increased stress levels because you can’t just carry on working exactly as you did before,” says Venz – and adds: “You can Yes, but maybe it shouldn’t.”
First of all, it’s about re-sorting and rearranging things – a considerable effort. “But we see that after about four weeks this levels off very well and a habituation effect sets in,” says Venz. Then the employees are back at the previous level and have the feeling that they are “finally working more efficiently and wasting less time.”
This was the case in Great Britain, for example: In 2022, 61 companies with around 2,900 employees tested the four-day week for six months – and were apparently convinced: 56 companies then decided to keep the model for the time being. According to the study, employees were more balanced and healthier, and productivity even increased.
Model project in Germany
A model for Germany too? 50 companies from different industries are now taking part in a comprehensive pilot project to introduce the four-day week. The University of Münster will then scientifically evaluate the project.
Scientist Venz points out that the four-day week is more difficult to implement in some areas than in others. “Let’s think about the desired reduction in working hours for train drivers, which the GDL has now demanded. Of course, a train driver can still only drive or lead one train on a certain route. And accordingly it is not possible to increase productivity there [..] exactly.” The same applies to care: “I don’t suddenly care faster, that can’t work.”
Plea for restructuring
Venz advocates a complete restructuring of companies. Companies would have to think carefully about who will take on which tasks and “ideally” hire more employees, which of course would involve more costs.
“I completely understand that all the alarm bells are going off,” says Venz, but at the same time reminds us of the shortage of skilled workers: “We have a market in which the range of jobs is very large, for example in the field of nursing.” A four-day week – despite all the challenges that come with it – could be a great lever to make employers more attractive.
Industrial psychologist Venz points out that times have changed: The current situation on the job market allows applicants to make demands and choose their employer specifically. “And yes, then why shouldn’t I choose the one who offers me a four-day week?”