Does Brazil have a 4 Day Work Week?
The story of how Brazil became a 4 day week trailblazer in South America
In recent years, a groundbreaking shift in the traditional workweek structure has been gaining momentum worldwide, and Brazil is no exception. The concept of a 4 day work week has emerged as one of the solutions to enhance productivity, foster work-life harmony, and promote employee well-being.
How Brazil launched a 4 day work week pilot
Brazil announced a "pilot program” for the 4 day work week organized by 4 Day Week Brazil, along with 4 Day Week Global and Reconnect Happiness at Work. The test started in September of 2023 and will last around 9 months, being three months of masterclasses, planning and preparation followed by six months of the 4 day work week.
Currently, 22 companies in Brazil are actively participating in the pilot program, with approximately 280 participants across five states in the country. A majority of these companies, over 70%, have committed to testing the 4 day work week with all their employees, while six organizations are initially experimenting with selected departments.
Why Brazil has decided to trial the 4 day week
The main reasons organizations in Brazil wanted to join the pilot include addressing talent attraction and retention challenges, enhancing productivity and engagement, improving the quality of life for employees, and advocating for progressive changes in the work culture.
How Brazil approached the 4 day work week experiment
The 4 day week work week model follows the 100-80-100™ agreement, wherein employees maintain 100% of their salary, work 80% of the time, and maintain 100% productivity. This innovative approach allows for greater work-life balance, flexibility, and improved employee morale.
In Brazil, most companies are adopting a common day off model for all employees, most of them not working on Fridays, others splitting on Monday and Friday between employees and a few organizations are adopting a more flexible approach, allowing employees to choose their day off during the week.
How Brazil has tackled the challenges faced by companies working a 4 day week
While the adoption of the 4 day work week presents numerous benefits, it also comes with its set of challenges. One major hurdle is the need to ensure seamless operational efficiency while accommodating the shortened work schedule. Additionally, companies may face resistance from stakeholders accustomed to traditional work structures, necessitating effective change management strategies.
Why the 4 day work week is good for Brazil
Despite the challenges, the 4 day work week offers a myriad of benefits for both employees and employers. By reducing the number of workdays, employees have more time to recharge, resulting in improved well-being, increased job satisfaction, and higher levels of productivity. For employers, the model can lead to reduced absenteeism, enhanced employee retention, and a more positive organizational culture.
As the pilot program progresses, expectations are high for the 4 day work week to yield tangible results. Participating companies anticipate improvements in employee morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. Moreover, stakeholders hope to gather valuable insights and data to inform future work policies and practices.
How can I contribute to the 4 day week movement?
So, how can we ensure the 4 day work week becomes routine over radical? We’re a non-profit organization looking to bring the 4 day week to as many people across the globe as possible. Our goal is to create a million years of new free time through 4 day week trials and transitions.
Would you like to sponsor us on this journey? Donate as little as $2 per month to become a part of this movement for a 4 Day World.
How can I improve my business with a 4 day week?
We offer support for businesses looking to make the shift to reduced-hour working in several ways:
1. Our Foundation Course
Our Foundation Course is designed for business leaders, consultants and entrepreneurs looking to understand how to implement a 4 day week in their organization, or to support the implementation of one in another organization.
We teach you through six video lecture modules, using the 100-80-100™ model.
2. Our Pilot Programs
We run 4 day week pilots using the 100-80-100™ principle across the globe. You can trial a 4 day week alongside other organizations in your geography. There are many pilots happening in various countries across the world.
Sign up here to register your interest in being a part of one of our pilots and we will let you know when the pilot in your country is kicking off! Alternatively, we have two global pilots happening in 2024, in March and September.
3. One-on-One Consulting
This is for larger organizations who want bespoke one-on-one support throughout the 4 day week planning and implementation process. We will provide you with world-leading experts in reducing working hours to help you on this journey.
