Feb 03 (V7N) – The 4-day work week is gaining traction worldwide as companies in Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, and the Dominican Republic have successfully implemented the system to boost employee productivity and work-life balance.

According to a Euro News report on Sunday (February 2), the initiative has proven effective in multiple countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many businesses to make it a permanent policy.

Indonesia and Germany Join the Trend

Recently, Indonesia and Germany introduced the 4-day work week after a successful six-month experimental program. The model, known as the ‘compressed work schedule,’ allows employees to work 40 hours in 4 days, granting them a three-day weekend.

Pioneers in the 4-Day Work Week Movement

  • Belgium became the first country in the EU to adopt the 4-day work week in 2022.
  • Japan is experimenting with the model in several cities, as overwork-related deaths remain a serious issue. Reports indicate that 54 workers die annually due to excessive workloads.
  • A 2024 study found that 200 companies in the UK had permanently adopted the 4-day work week while maintaining employees' salaries.

With productivity increases, employee satisfaction, and reduced burnout, experts predict that more countries and corporations will embrace this transformative work culture in the coming years.

END/RH/AJ