The organization 4 Day Week Global says almost every organization that took part in a six-month pilot project trying out a four-day week, will stick to the shortened work week.

Ninety-one per cent are definitely continuing or planning to continue, and a further 4 per cent are leaning towards continuing. Only 4 per cent of participants are definitely not continuing.

Companies rated their overall experience of the trials an average of 8.5 out of 10, with business productivity and business performance each scoring 7.5 out of 10.

The global campaign’s total number of completed pilot participants is 91 companies and approximately 3,500 employees.

Lead researcher, Professor Juliet Schor of Boston College says there was an encouraging consistency in the data: “Results are largely steady across workplaces of varying sizes, demonstrating this is an innovation which works for many types of organizations.”

She says there were also some interesting differences in that they found employees in non-profits and professional services had a larger average increase in time spent exercising, while those in construction/manufacturing enjoyed the largest reductions in burnout and sleep problems. The trial they conducted also produced differences in gender outcomes

Behavioural scientist and CEO of 4 Day Week Global, Dr Dale Whelehan said, “While both men and women benefit from a 4-day week, women’s experience is generally better. This is the case for burnout, life and job satisfaction, mental health and reduced commuting time. Encouragingly, the burden of non-work duties appears to be balancing out, with more men taking on a greater share of housework and childcare.”