A few months ago, the final results of the largest experiment to modify the workweek in history were known. The trial runs for six months in 2022 in the UK and involves 3,000 workers across 61 companies. Led by the organization “4 Day Week Global”, this experiment uses a 100-80-100 model: workers get 100% of their salary for working 80% of the time in return for producing 100% of their usual output.

The result was outstanding, all parties involved considered it a resounding success: 92% of companies said they would continue with a permanent four day week (of the five companies not continuing, two extended their trial and three stopped for now). On the employee side, 90% said they would definitely stick with a four-day work week, 55% reported increasing their capacity at work, and 15% said no amount of money they could get would get them back on schedule. . The main reported benefits are reduced work stress and better personal time, better mental health, less negativity, more exercise and easier sleep, according to self-reports by trial participants.

The results show that workers, with more control over their time, spend it in more meaningful ways, such as socializing and with family.

Another interesting fact is that a shorter work week can result in better gender parity in household work: the time men spend caring for their children is more than twice that of women. In this regard, some of the positive outcomes were even greater for women, particularly around reduced fatigue, increased job and life satisfaction, improved mental health, and reduced displacement.

In Argentina it is still a minority, but there is already experience. For example, since last year, Unilever enabled this modality once a month for all its administrative employees and Santander bank implemented it with some of its technological talent. In startups There are several technology-based experiences such as BlackBox Vision and Quales Group. Both report that productivity is maintained and even improved, and that the impact on employee well-being and well-being is a strong factor for talent retention. At a time when work is taking a new place in people’s lives, especially the younger generation, the four-day work week is emerging as an alternative that promises a few more chapters.