A six-month experiment in Germany has challenged traditional ideas about the workplace. The pilot program, which tested a four-day workweek across multiple industries, ended with 73% of companies deciding to keep the new schedule permanently.
The trial, launched in February 2024, was carried out in collaboration with Four Day Week Global and involved 45 companies across sectors such as tech, finance, and manufacturing. The results have sparked discussions across Europe about what the future of work might look like.
Less Time, Same Pay—and Equal or Better Output
Germany’s model followed the 100-80-100 framework: workers receive 100% of their pay, while working 80% of the time, in exchange for maintaining 100% productivity.
Despite concerns that shorter hours would lead to missed deadlines or slower performance, most companies saw no negative impact on output. In fact, several organizations reported improved efficiency after implementing smarter workflows.
About 60% of companies reduced the number and length of meetings, while 25% adopted new digital tools to streamline operations. A manufacturing firm in the trial used automation and workflow optimization to eliminate bottlenecks, achieving stronger overall performance.
Employees Report Stronger Well-Being
The shorter week also brought notable health benefits. In surveys conducted after the trial, 90% of employees said their overall well-being had improved, and 83% expressed a desire to keep the schedule permanently.
Workers noted improvements in mental and physical health, including less stress, more sleep, and more time for exercise or family life. One Berlin tech manager described her team as “more motivated” and energized, even after initial hesitation about the change.
One employee shared that the shift allowed her to reconnect with personal goals. “I feel more energized and less stressed overall. It’s amazing how much better I feel,” she said.
Flexible Structure Helped Make It Work
One key reason for the trial’s success was flexibility. Companies were able to tailor the four-day model to their operational needs. Some offered rotating days off, others shifted to 4.5-day weeks, and a few restricted the trial to specific departments.
This adaptable approach was supported by the German Employers’ Association (BDA), which encouraged collaborative negotiations between employers and employees.
The freedom to adjust the model helped reduce friction and made adoption more practical, especially in industries that rely on continuous output.
A Broader Shift in How We Work?
Not all reactions to the trial were positive. Some companies chose not to continue due to economic pressures, and a few researchers cautioned against applying the model universally.
Julia Backmann, a labor market researcher at the University of Münster, said the model may suit some companies, but Germany’s broader economy may not be ready for a nationwide shift. “I still don’t think we should be saying that Germany needs a four-day week for all companies,” she told Bloomberg.
Still, the trial’s overall success echoes similar results from Spain, Portugal, Ireland, South Africa, and Brazil. To date, more than 210 companies globally have tested four-day schedules, with many reporting benefits ranging from better talent recruitment to higher job satisfaction.
If they can do the same amount of work in 4 days they’ve obviously been slacking.
They haven’t been slacking, they’ve been burnt out. This offers better work life balance.
People have a right to have energy for their lives outside of work. Employers don’t have a right to squeeze every bit of energy out of employees.
More reasonable work loads lead to less stress, less burden on the healthcare system, less safety related injuries.
Two countries missed in this article doing the same thing are Japan and Iceland. They are also seeing the same benefits.
I used to have a job where 30 hours was full time, and the benefits I saw to my life were amazing. Instead of feeling exhausted all the time, I felt energized. I was able to be more effective at work and in my home life. I was ill less often. I was able to volunteer more and give back to my community.
Reduced hours and a 4 day work week is a no brainer.
I live in Germany, and this is a flat out lie!
Very few companies have gotten on the four day work week – so a branch with a lot of money in it. So not, not many employees with a four day work week here.
Plus, in the olden days people worked much more, clearly not slacking. Please inform yourself since when we have the five day work week, overtime and vacation. And now tell me why today everybody I’d always saying they are so stressed and burned out….
[To Karin (or is it “Karen”? ) ]
Not all businesses were involved in this wide-ranging study, but 216 in several countries were. Out of those, 73% decided to continue based on very positive results.
What that means is that further study is fully justified, but not that it should be made a mandate on all businesses. Do what is shown to work well, but understand that it’s not necessarily a ‘universal solution’ for all.
Please don’t be like an American “Karen”, that spouts off commenting based on their own biased opinion, before understanding the concepts presented.
As an American that abhors the orange clown currently in charge here, I beg you to be better than the 55% of clueless voters that put him back into power.
✌️🤙😊