Over 3,300 workers in Iceland have been part of an extensive trial of a four-day working week, with no cut in pay. The trials, run between 2015 and 2019 by Reykjavík City Council and the national government, involved a diverse range of workplaces, including hospitals and offices. Results revealed that productivity remained the same or improved in the majority of workplaces.
Workers reported feeling less stressed and at a lower risk of burnout, and said their health and work-life balance had improved. They also noted having more time to spend with their families, for hobbies and to complete household chores.
The trials’ success has led to permanent changes, with 86% of Iceland’s workforce now having either moved to shorter hours or gained the right to negotiate shorter hours in their contracts. These findings could have significant implications for the global debate on the merits of a four-day working week. The UK’s four-day week campaign argues that similar trials should be conducted in Britain, given the potential benefits for staff wellbeing and productivity.
Go to source article: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/3-300-people-tried-the-four-day-week-what-on-earth-happened-c8bjq7h6j