How the 4 day work week benefits working parents
Why working less is better for families and mothers
In 2021, the public sector in Iceland began rolling out a shorter workweek for its public sector. (It wasn't a shift to a 4 day week; working hours were reduced in different offices depending on existing collective bargaining agreements and other factors, and the aim was betri vinnutimi, or "better working hours," not a specific number of hours.)
The move was great for everyone, but it was transformative for women. It allowed young mothers to stay in the workforce; it boosted benefits and retirement contributions to working women; and it gave women more free time.
This is especially notable given that Iceland already is famous for its commitment to gender equality: it was the first country to elect a female president, and has topped the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index for years.
But even in a place that's a world leader in women's equality, a shorter workweek makes a difference in women's lives. That suggests that it can make a difference everywhere else.
The 4 day work week creates more family time
One of the most immediate benefits of a 4 day workweek is the increased time for family activities. An extra day off gives parents more quality time with their children, lets them participate in family outings, or simply be more present.
Both mothers and fathers in the UK trial reported spending more time with their children, but men spent 27% more time compared to when they worked a 5-day week, while women spent 13% more time.
Surprising benefits of the 4 day week for families
Our Community in Melbourne, which participated in one of our 2022 trials, found in its employee surveys that 66% of men spent more time on childcare.
In Iceland, one union leader told me, men who benefitted from the betri vinnutimi system spent more time with their families; women, in contrast, spent more time with each other.
It can also indirectly boost family finances, if parents elect to have children at home one more day per week (not all of them do-- for a few, time to themselves is more valuable!).
A 4 day week creates a better work-life balance for families
The 4-day week also creates better work-life balance, and less conflict between work responsibilities versus family duties.
In the UK trial, 60% of survey respondents said they were better able to "combine paid work with care responsibilities," and 62% said it was "easier to combine work with social life."
Overall, work-life balance increased (on a scale of 1-5) from 2.98 to 3.76.
At Our Community, 96% of men and 79% of women said it had a very positive or positive impact on work-life balance.
It also had a positive impact on their mental health of 56% of parents, and 78% said that it improved their wellbeing-- all of which can have a tangible difference on quality of parenting, as well as quality of work.
Women in the workplace: Double burden and flexibility stigma
The 4 day workweek shows great promise in addressing bigger structural issues facing women in the workplace.
Traditionally, women have borne the brunt of the so-called "double burden"-- the combined responsibilities of work and domestic duties-- and have been penalized when they've taken advantage of flexible work programs.
When everyone else is working 5-day weeks, having a flexible schedule or shorter workweek raises questions about whether they are as dedicated to their jobs as others.
The 4 day week attacks both of these problems. It provides more time for both women and men to contribute to child-raising and household duties. And because everyone at 4-day week companies enjoy the benefits of a shorter workweek, there's no stigma attached to working a shorter week.
This also extends to hiring. Georgina Roubillard, HR director at Australian company Insured By Us, said that the 4 day week "lets us hire mums and dads who want to be more active parents."
The 4 day week provides more space for parenting
Moving to a 4 day week also makes it possible for parents of young children to remain at work.
"Both of my co-directors have two small children," Icelab CEO Michael Honey told me, "and they can be contributors to the company and at the same time be contributors to parenting in a way that just wouldn't be possible otherwise. A 4 day workweek makes it possible to be both."
It's also easier to start a family.
Jen Anderson, the operations manager at Administrate, told me that her peers at others companies "returning after maternity leave have not been able to get either the levels or role that they wanted before, or get the days that they were looking to work when they went back."
In contrast, since having her daughter, "I haven't had to change anything about my working life as such, other than the fact I’ve got a child... I've not had to take a drop and pay or anything that. That's worked really well, for me personally, and I know for others with families in the company, it’s a huge, huge, huge benefit."
The 4 day week also challenges traditional associations between masculinity and long working hours
In a 4 day week company, there's no bonus for working overtime; it doesn't prove you're more devoted to your job, just slower.
Over the long run, this could help nudge societal attitudes towards the idea that a successful career doesn't have to come at the expense of family time.
It might also contribute to a more inclusive and flexible notion of fatherhood, in which men-- and society-- value the role of fathers in their children's lives as much as their professional achievements.
A 4 day week can change the way companies look at working parents
One reason Glasgow call center Pursuit Marketing had the confidence to implement a 4 day week was that they saw a number of mothers working part-time but outperforming full-time workers; once they moved everyone to a 4 day week, these women went from marginal figures to experts on how to make a shorter week work.
So a 4 day week offers a full spectrum of benefits for parents and families.
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.
