If you ever feel like the five-day workweek leaves you dragging by Friday, you’re far from alone. The traditional workweek is beginning to show its cracks, and more companies around the globe are paying attention. A new global study is adding fuel to the conversation: fewer workdays might mean better health, more sleep, and happier employees.
Instead of treating burnout as a badge of honor, this research suggests we should be asking a different question: What if working less could actually help us do more? Let’s explore what the latest findings reveal about the health benefits of a four-day week, and how this change could reshape how we live and work.
The Study That’s Reshaping How We Think About Work
A six-month international study led by Boston College researchers Wen Fan and Juliet Schor tracked nearly 2,900 workers across 141 companies in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. These companies voluntarily opted into a four-day workweek trial, maintaining full pay while trimming hours. Prior to the trial, businesses were given eight weeks to prepare, using that time to rework operations by cutting meetings, streamlining tasks, and reimagining productivity.
The outcomes were compelling. A majority of participants—67%—reported reduced burnout. Another 41% said their mental health had improved, while 38% experienced better sleep. Perhaps most surprising, 52% of workers felt more productive, despite working fewer hours. Meanwhile, a control group that stayed on the five-day schedule reported no meaningful change in any of these wellness or performance areas.
This real-world experiment challenges long-held assumptions about work and output. It shows that healthier employees may not just be happier—they may also get more done.
Why Cutting Hours Doesn’t Cut Results
One of the biggest fears companies face when considering shorter workweeks is a drop in productivity. But the findings from this study flip that concern on its head. Instead of doing less, participants did things better. Focus increased, and distractions fell away.
Companies involved in the trial got creative to make the model work. They reduced meeting times, clarified project priorities, and used automation where possible. When people knew they had less time in the office, they made each hour count. By respecting their employees’ time, these companies gained efficiency and boosted morale.
This aligns with what burnout research has shown for years: overworked employees tend to underperform. Chronic stress dulls focus, reduces motivation, and increases the risk of mistakes. On the flip side, rest can sharpen thinking and increase emotional resilience—both critical to thriving in demanding roles.
Sleep, Stress, and the Science of Recovery
One of the most striking benefits from the study was the improvement in sleep. For many workers, shifting to a four-day week meant more time to relax, disconnect from work, and follow natural sleep rhythms.
Good sleep isn’t just about feeling refreshed. It’s central to your health—impacting everything from mood and memory to your immune system and metabolic function. When you’re constantly behind on rest, it takes a toll physically and emotionally. Shorter workweeks gave people space to recover and sleep more consistently.
Science backs this up. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a higher risk of anxiety, depression, diabetes, and even heart disease. More rest time doesn’t just help with productivity—it may also lower long-term health risks, making the case for a shorter workweek not just a workplace policy, but a public health consideration.
What Happens When Work-Life Balance Isn’t a Buzzword
We hear a lot about the importance of work-life balance, but what does it actually look like when it’s achieved? The four-day week gave many workers a taste. They spent more time with loved ones, pursued hobbies, and simply had time to breathe. These aren’t luxuries; they’re foundational to a fulfilling life.
Interestingly, workers didn’t take this freedom for granted. They reported feeling more present and energized at work, because they weren’t running on empty. That increased engagement translated into better focus and a greater sense of purpose while on the job.
For parents, caregivers, or anyone with significant outside responsibilities, the extra day wasn’t just a treat—it was transformative. Having a full day to handle personal obligations or enjoy downtime made a meaningful difference in their quality of life.
Not Just a Trend: A Global Movement in Motion
This Boston College study isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader wave of interest in rethinking the traditional workweek. In 2022, a similar UK trial involving over 3,300 workers across 73 companies found comparable results—stress dropped, productivity remained steady or improved, and very few companies returned to the five-day format.
Globally, more governments and employers are exploring this shift. Belgium now allows workers to compress their hours into four days. Iceland has run trials that led to reduced hours for many public employees. Lithuania and Dubai have also joined the conversation, experimenting with more flexible, health-conscious schedules.
This growing momentum signals a broader cultural shift away from equating longer hours with higher value. In an age where burnout is rampant and mental health is top of mind, the old model may no longer serve us.
How to Start Advocating for Change at Your Workplace
If you’re intrigued by the idea of a shorter workweek, you don’t have to wait for leadership to bring it up. You can start small. Begin by paying attention to your own productivity rhythms. When are you most focused? What tasks drain you unnecessarily?
Consider proposing a pilot within your team. Maybe you try a “no-meeting Friday” or shift to a compressed schedule during summer months. Share data from studies like this one to make your case. Employers want healthier, more productive teams—showing them it’s possible could open doors.
And don’t underestimate the power of boundaries. Use your vacation days, disconnect after hours, and model a balanced approach. The path to change often begins with small, personal shifts that ripple outward.
The New Case for Rest: Not Lazy, Just Smart
It’s time to retire the myth that constant hustle is the only path to success. The evidence is mounting: rest isn’t indulgent—it’s strategic. A four-day workweek isn’t about working less, but about working better.
As more studies emerge, the message becomes clearer. Giving people time to recover helps them bring their best selves to work. It supports mental and physical health. And perhaps most importantly, it signals a cultural reset—one where productivity and well-being can finally coexist.
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