Four-day work week | Where are we now, and is it still considered a success?

In recent years, the concept of a four-day work week has gained significant momentum worldwide, reshaping the way we think about work, productivity, and employee satisfaction.

With pilot projects, legislation changes, and trial programs emerging in various countries, this innovative, if controversial, approach is transforming the traditional view of a mandatory five-day working week.

The journey toward a four-day workweek was propelled forward by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted both employees and employers to reconsider the importance of flexibility and benefits in the workplace. The core idea is straightforward: employees work for four days a week while maintaining their current pay, benefits, and workload. This shift is not merely about reducing work hours; it aims to optimise work structures, reducing meetings and fostering independent work.

Belgium made history by becoming the first European country to legislate a four-day workweek in February 2022. Employees have the option to work a full week's worth of hours in four days instead of the conventional five, without any loss of salary. The law aims to make the labour market more flexible and align work with family life, potentially boosting the country's economy.