Four-Day Workweek Boosts Output Across Industries

What sounds impossible is happening in offices around the world: people are working four days a week and accomplishing more than they did in five.

Jared Lindzon and Joe O'Connor just released their book "Do More in Four: Why It's Time for a Shorter Workweek," packed with insights from real companies making the switch. O'Connor's organization, Work Time Reduction, has helped hundreds of businesses test shorter workweeks across North America, Europe, the U.K., and Australia over eight years.

The results challenge everything we thought we knew about productivity. Companies across different sizes, industries, and cultures are seeing better output with less time, not more.

Here's a surprising truth: there's no scientific reason for the five-day workweek. Nobody ever studied what schedule works best for human performance and decided Monday through Friday was optimal.

Our current workweek is just a leftover from the Industrial Revolution over 100 years ago. For 95 percent of human history, people worked about 15 hours per week with flexible schedules that fit their lives.

The industrial era changed everything, creating rigid schedules where workers clocked in daily or got replaced. That system stuck around not because it works best, but because it was never questioned.

The Ripple Effect

The shift to four-day workweeks is creating positive changes beyond just happier employees. Companies report reduced burnout, lower turnover, and more engaged teams who bring fresh energy to their work.

Workers gain precious time for family, health, hobbies, and rest without sacrificing their careers or paychecks. Communities benefit too, as people have more time to volunteer, shop locally, and connect with neighbors.

The movement is proving that working smarter beats working longer every time. As more organizations test shorter weeks and share their success stories, they're giving other companies the confidence to try it themselves.

This isn't just about individual companies anymore. It's becoming a global conversation about building a workplace culture that values results over hours and recognizes that well-rested humans do better work.

The evidence keeps growing: when we let go of outdated assumptions about work, everyone wins.