In recent years, the concept of a four-day workweek has gained traction as a means to improve work-life balance and boost productivity. Now, the practice is increasingly going mainstream, with companies like Kickstarter and ThredUp implementing compressed working weeks. Some countries, including Japan and Iceland, have also embraced the idea, with Iceland leading the way, where 86% of workers now enjoy or have the option of working a four-day week. The impact of this shift is proving to be significant, not only for individual well-being but also for gender parity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a six-month trial of the four-day workweek involving 33 companies across six countries, workers reported less burnout, higher job satisfaction, improved work-life balance, and enhanced mental and emotional well-being, according to a survey conducted by 4 Day Week Global, a nonprofit organization facilitating the trial. Interestingly, men with a four-day week reported spending more time on childcare and housework, while women’s time on these responsibilities decreased. This raises the question of whether implementing a four-day workweek could be considered a feminist act by helping women better balance their professional and personal lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While industries like healthcare and manufacturing already embrace shorter workweeks, white-collar offices, where the traditional 9-to-5 schedule has prevailed for decades, are experiencing a transformative shift. Dawoon Kang, co-founder of dating app Coffee Meets Bagel, described the implementation of a four-day workweek as the most impactful workplace initiative in the last decade. Productivity and morale have improved significantly, with employees adapting quickly to the new schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefits of a four-day workweek for women extend beyond work-life balance. The relentless competition between work and home responsibilities often hampers women’s careers, pay, mental well-being, and physical health. The gender pay gap, the motherhood penalty, and burnout among working women are often attributed to the unequal distribution of caregiving and housekeeping duties. A shorter workweek provides an opportunity for both women and men to find a better balance between caregiving and their careers. Workers report improved mental health, reduced stress, increased quality time with their families, and, when fortunate, the ability to take naps.<\/p>