Joining the ranks of industry giants like Nvidia, YouTube, and Taco Bell, 4 Day Week Global’s pioneering advocacy for reduced working hours worldwide has captured the attention of global leaders and cultural influencers alike.

LONDON — Fast Company has honored 4 Day Week Global by including the Global Think Tank in its prestigious lineup of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024. This recognition celebrates businesses at the forefront of industry and cultural transformation through their groundbreaking innovations. These trailblazing organizations are setting new benchmarks and achieving remarkable milestones across various sectors of the global economy. Fast Company’s list, featuring the World's 50 Most Innovative Companies, ranks 4 Day Week Global the 40th Most Innovative Company overall, and Number 1 in Workplace Innovation.

Dr. Dale Whelehan, CEO at 4 Day Week Global, expressed profound pride in the team's achievement, remarking, "Today marks a monumental milestone for our team. As a startup social enterprise with just twelve members spanning five continents, being acknowledged among esteemed innovators is an extraordinary honor. 4 Day Week Global's work exemplifies how innovation in work practices, through skillful reduction in working hours, can foster sustainable well-being for individuals and drive sustainable performance for organizations."

Over the past year, 4 Day Week Global has conducted extensive research, revealing the positive outcomes of companies participating in their 4-day week trial programs across multiple countries, including the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Portugal, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, ongoing trials in Brazil and Germany continue to yield impressive results, showcasing significant reductions in stress, burnout, and fatigue. Notably, participants also experience enhanced business performance, including increased retention rates and decreased absenteeism. The organization has recently launched its partnership network, with plans for pilots on all continents in 2024.

Reflecting on 4 Day Week Global’s jouney, co-founder, Charlotte Lockhart, stated: “When Andrew and I started this journey to reduce work time in our own business, we never imagined we would end up leading a global conversation at the heart of how we value work time. We are delighted to have Fast Company recognise the innovative approach 4 Day Week Global takes to changing the workplace for the better.” 

Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies franchise represents a pinnacle in editorial excellence and serves as a comprehensive guide to global innovation, spanning from nascent startups to established industry leaders. The editorial team, after evaluating thousands of submissions through a rigorous application process, identifies companies driving progress and innovation across the globe.

Editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan remarked, “Our list of the Most Innovative Companies not only reflects the innovation economy but also provides insight into the business trends shaping the year. Despite the challenges we face, the solutions celebrated in MIC inspire hope for the future."

ABOUT 4 DAY WEEK GLOBAL

4 Day Week Global was founded in New Zealand by entrepreneurs and philanthropists Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart, following the groundbreaking success of their 4 Day Week trial at Perpetual Guardian. Since then, the organization has collaborated with thousands of companies worldwide, facilitating the transition to reduced-hour, output-focused work models. Guided by the 100-80-100™ model developed during the Perpetual Guardian trial, the organization aims to establish the 4 Day Week as the new standard, leading the global movement for shorter working hours.

ABOUT FAST COMPANY

Fast Company is the premier media brand dedicated to the intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company, along with its sister publication Inc., is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.