A team of sociologists from the University of Cambridge partnered with the British nonprofit human rights organization 4 Day Week Global to assess how a four-day workweek impacts workers and organizations. The study’s outcomes were published on the 4 Day Week Global platform, providing a detailed look at the experience across participating firms. Over six months, several employers adopted a compressed schedule without reducing pay, and roughly 3,000 employees shifted to this model. At the start, midway, and conclusion of the evaluation, participants answered surveys about their job performance, levels of stress, burnout symptoms, and overall health. These periodic assessments help reveal the tangible effects of a shorter workweek on daily work life and long-term well-being. [Cambridge study, 2024]
Respondents consistently noted improvements in mental well-being and stamina, with anxiety and fatigue easing alongside better overall health at work. Specifically, 71% of workers reported lower burnout, while 39% described reduced stress relative to the beginning of the study. Absences dropped sharply, with sick days decreasing by 65%, and voluntary turnover fell by 57%. Throughout the trial, company revenue remained essentially stable, indicating that productivity and financial performance did not suffer from the reduced work time. These results contribute to ongoing conversations about balancing efficiency with employee welfare in modern work cultures. [Cambridge study, 2024]
Another key finding was how the four-day week enabled employees to better harmonize professional duties with family responsibilities and social commitments. The shift appeared to grant more flexible scheduling, fewer interruptions during personal time, and a perceived enhancement in work-life integration. The study’s participants repeatedly emphasized that the compressed week did not come at the cost of job security or compensation, and many cited improved morale and engagement as positive byproducts. These insights align with broader surveys suggesting that shorter work patterns, when implemented thoughtfully, can sustain or even boost organizational performance while supporting healthier, more balanced lives. [Cambridge study, 2024]