Four-Day Workweek: Productivity Findings from 20 Organizations

After tracking 20 organizations that implemented four-day workweeks over 18 months, we’ve documented consistent patterns that challenge conventional productivity assumptions.

The data reveals that productivity outcomes depend largely on implementation approach rather than industry or company size. Organizations that simply compressed 40 hours into 4 days saw minimal benefits and increased stress. However, those redesigning work processes while reducing total hours to 32 experienced substantial gains.

Key success factors included:

• Conducting thorough process audits before implementation, eliminating low-value activities
• Implementing meeting policies reducing duration and frequency (typically 30% reductions)
• Creating clear communication protocols for the non-work day
• Staggering team schedules to maintain customer coverage

A technology consulting firm achieved 94% of previous output in 80% of the time by eliminating status meetings and implementing asynchronous documentation practices.

Most notably, these changes produced secondary benefits beyond productivity, with participating companies reporting 31% reduction in absenteeism and 27% improvement in talent retention compared to industry averages.