‘Productivity’: Reality of four-day working week revealed

The push for the four-day work week might still seem unrealistic, but one company has spilled the beans on the reality after doing it for two years.

The push for the four-day working week in Australia is becoming increasingly like a shove as early-adapting workplaces thrive.

Swinburne University released a study in 2023 that found that the 10 organisations that trialled the four-day working week found overwhelming success.

Employers gave it an average score of 9.25 out of 10, and most extended the trial and made the change permanent.

Earlier this month Medibank announced it would be expanding its four-day work week “experiment” to include 500 employees, after a six month trial found staff had become happier, healthier and more efficient.

Aussie-born fundraising platform, Raisely, is a fully remote team that transitioned to a four-day work week in 2022.

Raisely’s chief financial officer, Katrina Huergo, said the move has boosted morale across the company and created a positive culture.

“We saw an increase in self-reported work-life balance, energy levels, and feelings of calmness,” she told news.com.au.

“The extra day off allowed people to complete life admin and actually relax and enjoy the weekend as it should be enjoyed. No more Sunday Scaries!”

Katrina Huergo, said the move has boosted morale across the company and created a positive culture. Picture: Supplied

She said the change has allowed her to have a greater work life balance and spend more time with her family. Picture: Supplied

It was also eye-opening to see that productivity didn’t drop when workers gained an extra day off.

Instead, the workers rallied, what could be more motivating to work hard than getting an extra day off?

“Productivity didn’t drop despite the shift to a four-day week. Our team shared that the additional rest helped them return to work feeling more energised, creative, and focused, enabling them to better prioritise tasks,” she explained.

When the company conducted an internal survey and asked its staff if introducing a four-day working week had any negative impacts, the response was very lighthearted.

“Everyone is jealous of me,” one wrote.

“Ran out of Netflix,” another joked.

“None! Seriously,” someone else said.

The change has improved morale. Picture: Supplied

Ms Huergo said that parents and carers were the most “excited” when they introduced the four-day working week, but their younger team members also loved it.

“Our younger team members, including Gen Z, shared this enthusiasm, viewing the change as all upside,” she said.

“For them, the extra day off meant more time for hobbies, side projects, studies and social activities, allowing them to enjoy a richer work-life balance.”

Giving workers an extra day off a week has allowed the company to attract the best “talent” in the industry.

“It sets us apart as an employer that values work-life balance, and it’s a benefit that resonates with many job seekers looking for more flexibility and time for their personal lives,” she said

Mr Ibrahim said it has given him work/life balance. Picture: Supplied

Joshua Ibrahim, 26, is a designer and developer at Raisely, and he has found only working four-days a game changer.

“People always talk about work-life balance, but this completely solves that issue. It’s hard to feel burnt out when you’ve got an extra day of the week to focus on doing nothing,” he told news.com.au.

“On a regular 5 day work week, it almost feels like even each weekend day has its purpose. You’re able to clean the house, see your friends to make the most of a precious Saturday, do your grocery shop, and quickly unwind on a Sunday. It’s so nice to have that extra day of the week where there are no expectations and you can just rest.”

Workers are loving the four-day working week. Picture: iStock.

This photo of two women working from the beach recently went viral and shows just how much young people want flexibility. Picture: TikTok/laurensyesterday

Mr Ibrahim said the benefits are endless because he now has the flexibility he’d never expected.

“There are so many benefits. I can have a day off with my partner who works weekends, and we can go to Bondi Beach for a swim on a Monday without the weekend crowds,” he said.

“The other thing is that it shifts the way I look at my employer. I feel so appreciative of the way that they’ve chosen to prioritise my wellbeing that I make sure to work my best on the four days that I’m in.”

The 26-year-old said that he loves it so much he’d find it so “difficult” to go back to working five days a week.

“I’d find it difficult to go back, the four-day work week just feels right. Why would I gamble genuine wellbeing on a new job?”