Four day work week tests proliferate as employees work fewer hours

The 4-day work week is gaining traction as hourly workers put in less time post-pandemic. ADP data shows the median hours worked per week dropped from 38.4 in late 2019 to 37.7 in late 2022. Part-time roles now comprise 47% of hourly jobs, up from 43%. With labor inputs declining, more firms are trialing 4-day schedules.

Early data shows potential benefits like better retention and wellbeing with no productivity loss, if done right. But scaling requires flexibility - working extra when needed to accommodate demands which can create tensions. The transition takes extensive preparation and costs, including 20% staff increases for some to offset lost time. While promising, results may not be representative, with most trials being in small companies suffering from measurement difficulties, client expectations, and work intensity challenges remain.

• Four-Day Workweek Pilot Project Abandoned at Hungarian Telecom Company. (Bloomberg)

Still, with hourly workers' hours dropping, and Friday becoming a de-facto dead-day in many offices, 4 day pilot projects continue to emerge. Blending worker autonomy, manager trust and output accountability, the model aims for sustainability. While tests are still limited, rethinking the workweek is the next front in the redefinition of work flexibility.