The future of work: What are the opportunities and challenges of the 4-day workweek?

For some time now, the 4-day workweek has been under discussion in various countries, and a major pilot project has recently started in Switzerland to test this new work model. Designed to improve the work-life balance for employees and workers, trade unions, in particular, have repeatedly called for its implementation, citing better health for workers as a key argument. Iceland, a pioneering country, has already made the 4-day workweek a reality, and Belgium has legally regulated it since the end of 2022. Large-scale field trials have shown promising results in several countries so far.

How does the 4-day workweek work?

‍The goal of this new work model is to explore innovative forms of work under the New Work paradigm. The primary aim is to reduce the current 5-day workweek to 4 days, improving employees' health and ultimately their productivity. Various concepts for implementation are being tested step by step, depending on the industry and specific requirements.

How does one work with a 4-day workweek?

Basically, there are two different work time models to implement the 4-day workweek:

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1. The total weekly working time is reduced. This means that the daily working time of 8 hours is maintained. In total, employees work only 32 hours per week instead of the current 40 hours. Depending on the industry and company, management then decides on the consequences for wage payments. Either there are reductions, or the reduced working time is still fully compensated.
2. The total weekly working time remains unchanged. This means that the daily working time is increased to 10 hours. This way, the employee works the same amount of time but gains an extra day off. This variant is ideal for companies where reducing productive time would cause difficulties.

The second option can, however, lead to conflicts with the legally prescribed maximum working time in many countries. Generally, this is only 8 hours and can usually only be increased to 10 hours under certain conditions by the employer. Therefore, the first variant is currently the more commonly used and frequently applied method to reduce the work week to 4 days.

What are the advantages of the 4-day workweek?

One of the most cited advantages of the 4-day workweek is the improved work-life balance. Employees gain an additional day off, which they can use for leisure activities, household chores, shopping, or necessary doctor visits and administrative tasks. Since this extra day is a regular working day, employees can more easily complete these tasks, which are often inaccessible on weekends due to limited opening hours. 

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Many companies offer flexibility by allowing employees to choose their day off, while others designate a specific day for internal operational reasons. This flexibility ensures that company processes remain efficient.

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An additional day off usually results in more rested and healthier employees, benefiting both the individual and the company. Employees experience better health, and companies see higher productivity. Previous pilot projects have also shown a decrease in sick leave. Additionally, extra days for administrative tasks or doctor visits are no longer needed, as these can now be conveniently scheduled during the week.

For employees, one less day of work also means saving on commuting and meal costs, reducing ancillary expenses for commuting by about 20%. Employers might also benefit from saving on personnel costs for security, cleaning staff, and energy costs, particularly if the day off is standardized across the company.

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Last but not least, the 4-day workweek is also an important argument in employer branding. In times of skilled worker shortages and a highly competitive labor market, the additional day off can increase the employer's attractiveness and serve as a marketing plus for their brand.

What are the disadvantages of the 4-day workweek?

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However, the obvious advantages are also offset by some disadvantages. Reducing working hours to achieve the originally planned targets can lead to an increased workload and time pressure for employees. This increased stress negatively impacts health and productivity, potentially negating the benefits of the extra day off. 

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Certain tasks may not be completed within the shorter time frame, forcing employees to prioritize what must be done. This is not easy for everyone, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed. 

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Management can also face challenges. Important tasks may remain undone and pile up, and customers might not be served on time. This chain reaction can potentially affect the company's competitiveness and survival. Collaboration on projects becomes difficult if a key participant is always off, especially with a flexible choice of the day off.

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Implementing and reorganizing process flows can also pose a huge challenge for companies. The long-established workflow is suddenly interrupted, and it takes some time before administrative adjustments and employee briefings lead to a smooth operation again. Time, which ultimately also costs money, and especially small businesses might struggle with this.

The 4-day workweek in Switzerland

What about the introduction of the 4-day workweek in our country? Thanks to a pilot project, there is a good chance that it might be implemented here as well. On the surface, reducing the workweek to 4 days seems logical, especially considering the increasing workload in recent decades. Relief in this area would certainly be desirable. 

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However, it is important to note that due to high workloads, many men and women have already opted for part-time positions. This makes the 4-day workweek somewhat redundant for a significant percentage of the workforce, particularly among female employees. Currently, only about 50 percent of women work full-time, with the remainder working part-time, and approximately 30 percent working less than half-time.

As a result, entrepreneurs and employees are eagerly awaiting the outcomes of various pilot projects. Based on these results, companies will decide whether to adopt the 4-day workweek in Switzerland. It remains to be seen how the experiment will be received within Swiss companies. Generally, many management teams have shown openness to this new model, although its acceptance may vary by region.

The 4-day workweek in terms of hybrid working

The 4-day workweek can also be applied to employees working in hybrid setups. Presence is not always mandatory, as many companies continue to operate hybrid or even keep their employees fully in home office. In line with New Work, the hybrid working model has proven to be a practical solution in many companies. Therefore, it is conceivable that the 4-day workweek could also be applied to this work model. Here, it would even be possible to flexibly arrange the home part of the work and adjust the workload to fit one's daily schedule. For example, parents could take their children to school and make up for the missed time later. The outcome of the pilot projects and the experiences of companies will show which new paths will open up in the working world for us in the future.

Set up your office professionally

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