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Papers on “four-day workweek trial productivity employee wellbeing”

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1. The promise of a four-day week? A critical appraisal of a management-led initiative

   Helen Delaney, Catherine Casey · 2021 · Employee Relations: The International Journal · 26 cites

   PurposeThis article critically investigates a management-led experiment to institute a four-day work week with stated intentions of improving productivity and worker wellbeing. The article analyses the framing and implementation of the reduced work hours (RWH) trial, the responses of employees and the outcomes and implications of the trial. It raises concerns regarding the managerial appropriation of employee aspirations for more autonomy over time and improved work life.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a qualitative case study of a medium-sized company operating in the financial services sector in New Zealand. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 employe

2. Employee Acceptance of a Four-Day Workweek.

   M. D. Fottler · 1977 · Academy of Management Journal · 19 cites

3. The Subtle Art of Effecting a Four-day Workweek to Drive Performance

   Debarun Chakraborty, Shakti Bodh Bhatnagar, Wendrila Biswas, et al. · 2022 · Management and Labour Studies · 14 cites

   Organizations have long been experimenting with shortened workweeks. This study investigates the finer points that can make a four-day workweek efficacious. Though studies have revealed that the four-day workweek delivers well on productivity goals, extant literature has not yet examined the details of how to bring about a transformational change in employee performance as a result of the change. The current study empirically explores different nuanced factors that can translate a strategic vision into an achievable tactical plan, one that hones the skills and learning of employees. The present study takes into consideration psychological well-being as a possible moderator. A sample of 604 e

4. From Five to Four: Examining Employee Perspectives Towards the Four-Day Workweek

   Mahek Jain, N. Chouliara, H. Blake · 2025 · Administrative Sciences · 9 cites

   The concept of a four-day workweek (4DWW) has gained traction as organisations explore ways to improve employee well-being and productivity. This study investigates the opportunities, challenges, and perceived feasibility of adopting a 4DWW in the UK, from the perspective of employees on five-day schedules. A qualitative research design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 14 participants from diverse sectors, including education, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. A thematic analysis identified the key benefits, concerns, and contextual influences at an employee, organisational, and wider system level. Switching to a 4DWW was seen as an opportunity to enhance work–li

5. Embracing Flexibility: Exploring the Impact and Future of Remote Work, Flextime, and the Four-Day Workweek on Productivity and Well-Being

   Rinandita Wikansari, Christian Kuswibowo, D. Santosa, et al. · 2025 · Athena: Journal of Social, Culture and Society · 7 cites

   The study is aimed at trend analysis, adoption, and effects of remote work, flexible schedules, and a four-day work week on performance and employee well-being; it engages in a systematic literature review methodology for data collection on several industries concerning the pros and cons of different flexible employment paradigigms. Remote working has been embraced best in knowledge-intensive industries, where it increases productivity significantly but at the same time enhances the risk of feeling isolated, and flexitime gives a good work-life balance but needs clear demarcations in the use of this flexibility to prevent over-commitment. Though the four-day work week is hardly ever adopted,

6. SMALL BUSINESS EYES THE FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK

   K. E. Wheeler · 1970 · Harvard Business Review · 5 cites

7. Unlocking Productivity and Well-Being: Exploring the Four-Day Workweek and Design Thinking for Its Implementation

   M. Sugiarto, Fakhira Salsabilla, Asep Taryana · 2024 · Jurnal Syntax Admiration · 3 cites

   Work life balance is the most important factor for employees of this generation in keeping their jobs. Meanwhile, the five-day workweek working system that is implemented today is raising concerns as the workload increases which leads to work life imbalance, declining productivity, also burnouts and mental-health issues of the employees. To overcome it, this study proposes a four-day workweek system as a possible solution. The study aims to explore the potential benefits of a fourday workweek as well as the usage of design thinking method in enabling a successful implementation of the system. By examining factors like work scheduling, business needs, and employee satisfaction, this study als

8. Deconstructing Sustainability Challenges in the Transition to a Four-Day Workweek: The Case of Private Companies in Eastern Europe

   Tatjana Tambovceva, Regina Veckalne, M. Järvis, et al. · 2025 · Sustainability · 1 cite

   As global challenges escalate—economic shocks, environmental issues, and evolving work expectations—the four-day workweek (4DWW) is gaining traction as a sustainable and viable alternative. This study investigates the transition from a traditional 5-day workweek to a 4DWW in the context of private companies in the Baltic States, supplemented by the insights from informal interviews with 17 representatives across Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia and an in-depth case study of a Latvian wholesale company. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates document analysis, structured interviews, and quantitative assessment of key performance indicators over an 8-year period. The finding