In 2024, calls for workplace flexibility are becoming harder to ignore, and the traditional workweek is starting to look like a thing of the past. As employers increasingly explore ways to attract and retain top talent through initiatives like better employee benefits and perks, the 4-day workweek movement stands out by fostering a healthier work/life balance without sacrificing productivity. By challenging the assumption that we need to work 40 hours across five days to get results, this trend is finally gaining the attention it deserves.
After the resounding success of multiple global trials, big names like Microsoft and Amazon are now among the companies offering a 4-day workweek as an employee perk. What’s more, as artificial intelligence continues to pick up more office legwork, many experts believe the 4-day workweek could become more widely accepted this year.
For those interested in the concept of a 4-day workweek, we’ve rounded up some interesting statistics on the topic gleaned from our Impact of Technology on the Workplace report, which surveyed over 1000 US-based business leaders. We also cover the 4-day week movement’s core benefits, to contextualize its rapid rise in popularity.
In this guide:
Key 4-Day Workweek Statistics (2024)
- 59% of companies are open to a 4-day working week
- 93% of senior leadership in companies where AI plays a central role are either considering a 4-day working week or have already implemented it
- 65% of Millennials and Gen X senior leadership would consider implementing a 4-day working week or have already implemented it
- 45% of Baby Boomer senior leadership would consider implementing a 4-day working week or have already implemented it
The 4-Day Workweek: Explained
Simply put, a 4-day workweek is a flexible workplace model where employees work four days a week, instead of five. Businesses can choose when the day off falls, but most will opt for a Monday of Friday to allow for a three-day weekend.
Typically, this reduction in hours shouldn’t correspond with a cut in pay, although many businesses will use the arrangement as a cost-saving measure.
4-day workweek vs compressed workweek
A traditional 4-day workweek sees an employee work 28 hours a week over four days. However, it’s also common for businesses to maintain full working hours in a fewer number of days – for example, by splitting up a 40-hour week into four chunks of 10. This model is referred to as a compressed work week.
4-Day Working Week Popularity
The popularity of the 4-day workweek movement is no secret, but how fast is momentum spreading across the US? Here’s what our research found:
1. 59% of companies are open to a 4-day working week
Despite many business leaders initially being hesitant to make the change, our report found that over half of companies are now open to a 4-day working week, with 18% of respondents already making steps towards making it a reality. While opponents of the movement remain, this finding reveals the scales have officially tipped in favor of the flexible policy.
AI and the 4-Day Working Week
The rise of AI has transformed almost every facet of the business landscape. Here’s what our data reveals about its impact on the 4-day workweek.
2. 93% of senior leadership of organizations where AI plays a central role in operations are either considering a 4-day working week or have already implemented it
Unsurprisingly, a company’s level of AI literacy majorly influences how likely it is to embrace the flexible policy. Our research found almost all fully AI-driven businesses were likely to embrace the model compared to only 41% that don’t utilize the technology at all, and 59% that use it to a limited extent.
Generational Gap in Attitudes Towards 4-Day Working Week
As is the case with most flexible policies, support for the 4-day workweek isn’t equal across demographics. Read on for our main findings.
3. 65% of senior leadership aged 35-44 (Millennials and Gen X) would consider implementing a 4-day working week or have already implemented it
Younger generations are considerably more likely to back the 4-day workweek movement. Support for the policy was the highest among Millennial and Gen X execs aged 35-44, and closely followed by Gen Z and Millenial leaders aged 26-34, with 63% of the age group supporting the movement, and 15% remaining on the fence.
With younger workers being more likely than their older colleagues to embrace internet-led movements like lazy girl jobs, quiet quitting and coffee badging, this statistic chimes with what we already know about shifting workplace preferences among younger generations.
4. Only 45% of senior leadership aged 55-64 (Baby Boomers) would consider implementing a 4-day working week or have already implemented it
Our report also found that Baby Boomers are less in favor of a 4-day working week than younger demographics with less than half considering the policy, and 37% rejecting it altogether.
The Benefits of a 4-Day Workweek
Still yet to see the appeal of the 4-day workweek? Here are the reasons millions of US businesses are considering rolling out the flexible arrangement in 2024.
- Happier employees – This one is a no-brainer, but working fewer working hours and increasing leisure time has been shown to majorly improve employee happiness and fulfillment. Three-day weekends have been found to lower levels of anxiety in the workplace too, representing a clear win for worker mental health.
- Increased productivity – Satisfied, and engaged employees are likely to be more productive too, with the majority of businesses reporting that their overall productivity was maintained or enhanced during the 4-day workweek pilot.
- Reduced costs – As rising inflation rates continue to grip small businesses, closing the office for one day a week remains a savvy way to cut back on running costs. The model also favors the bank balance of employees who work in physical office spaces, by axing the costs of commuting and eating out.
- Lower cases of burnout – 4-day workweeks can also help to combat one of the leading challenges for US companies – employee burnout. Not only does this contribute to a happier and healthier workforce, but it also favors employers by increasing productivity.
- Hiring advantages –Rolling out the flexible arrangement makes it exponentially easier for hiring managers to attract top talent – giving them a major edge over their competition. Companies with a 4-day week also consistently report lower cases of employee turnover, reducing the costs and logistical headaches involved with backfilling roles.
Check out our guide to the best HR software to learn more
The Future of Work
If these statistics are anything to go by, the tide has officially turned on the traditional working week. While skeptics remain, the 4-day work week is becoming an increasingly attractive proposition for workers and employees alike, and the growing use of AI at businesses has made the policy more accessible than ever.
But while 2024 is set to be the movement’s biggest year to date – this doesn’t mean that obstacles don’t remain. For businesses that require round-the-clock coverage, shaving down a working day simply won’t be feasible. What’s more, compressing a workweek into fewer days can also result in escalating workloads that are harder to manage, potentially contributing to higher cases of stress and burnout.
The good news? The majority of businesses will be able to sidestep these risks with careful planning. So, if you’re ready to welcome three-day weekends with open arms, check our guide on how to successfully implement a 4-day workweek in 2024.
For even more insights, don’t forget to download the full Impact of Technology 2024 report.