A four-day work week reduces stress and increases employee productivity, concluded a German study released this Friday (18) and coordinated by the University of Münster.
Forty-one German companies participated in a six-month program to reduce working hours or introduce a four-day work weeka historic request from trade unions in this European country.
The University of Münster in western Germany and the international program “4 Day-Week Global” coordinated the project.
According to the results of the study, the four-day week “significantly” improves the mental and physical health of employees.
For six months, the health of workers was monitored through smartwatches (smart watches), hair samples and a self-assessment.
The research result “contradicts the idea that having the same workload, with fewer hours, could increase stress”, says the study.
In addition to suffering less stressemployees who work four days exercise more and sleep an average of 38 minutes more every week.
These “positive effects” on health could help “reduce absenteeism in the long term,” the researchers estimate.
Respondents also consider themselves to be slightly more productive, although the study is cautious on this topic and highlights some limits.
For example, the four-day week has not been proven to increase corporate profits, reduce sick leave, or reduce carbon footprints.
After testing, 39% of companies decided to implement the four-day work week and 34% will continue testing the program.
Since the pandemic, the issue has entered the public debate in Germany, where it is among the main demands of some unions.
