Four-Day Work Week

The concept of a four-day workweek with a five-day workweek's pay was put to the test in the United Kingdom in 2022 in what is considered the world's largest trial of this work arrangement. The pilot program involved dozens of companies and generated such positive feedback that a majority of both supervisors and employees have chosen to continue with the four-day workweek.

Employees are largely enthusiastic about the idea of four-day workweeks, with about 80 percent of Work in America survey respondents saying they believe they would be happier and just as effective with four days at work. Some policymakers are also on board; in 2023, states including California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington explored bills to promote or mandate this shift. Planners should be aware of the potential impacts of shifting workweek schedules on local economies and transportation systems, should this new labor paradigm take hold.