Four-Day Workweek Improves Employee Well-Being, Study Shows

2025-07-21 population

international, Monday, 21 July 2025.
A global study reveals significant mental health benefits and increased job satisfaction from a four-day workweek with full pay, suggesting potential shifts in work culture.

Transformative Findings: Health and Satisfaction

The study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, monitored nearly 3,000 employees across 141 companies in six countries including the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. It found that a switch to a four-day workweek with no pay reduction greatly improved employee mental health, reduced burnout rates, and enhanced job satisfaction [2][3]. Particular benefits were seen among those who reduced their work hours most, demonstrating a clear link between shorter workweeks and psychological well-being.

Mechanisms of Improvement: Factors at Play

According to the study, three main factors were identified as mediators of these benefits: increased work ability, fewer sleep problems, and less fatigue. Researchers noted that these mediators accounted for much of the improvement, but changes in work hours remained a significant predictor of increased well-being, pointing to additional unexplored factors likely at play [3][4].

Economic and Cultural Implications

This pivotal study not only highlights improvements in individual well-being but also implies broader economic benefits. By potentially lowering healthcare costs related to workplace stress, the four-day workweek model may signal a transformative shift in both cultural and economic landscapes, particularly as businesses seek increased productivity and equity [5][6].

Challenges and Future Directions

While the findings are promising, the study acknowledges certain limitations. Companies involved in the trial self-selected and weren’t randomized, which could introduce bias in the outcomes. Moreover, the well-being measures were self-reported, which brings a level of subjectivity to the data. Nonetheless, positive outcomes have spurred further research plans to explore long-term effects and sector-specific adaptations [1][4].

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four-day workweek employee well-being