Germany Implements Trial of Four-Day Work Week with Indications of Permanence.
Germany’s Experiment with the Four-Day Workweek: Results and Implications
Results of the Four-Day Workweek Experiment
Germany recently conducted an experiment with the four-day workweek, following the “100-80-100” model, in which companies reduced work hours by 20% while maintaining full salary and productivity levels. The initial response has been positive, with a high percentage of companies indicating their intention to continue with the reduced workweek.
Various Implementation Methods
Companies in Germany adopted different strategies to implement the reduced work hours. Some chose to give employees a full day off, while others distributed the reduced hours among teams asynchronously to ensure continuous operation. Additionally, some companies implemented a 4.5-day workweek, balancing reduced hours with productivity needs.
Opinions and Strategies for Improvement
The majority of companies (73%) that participated in the trial have decided to continue with the four-day workweek model. To maintain productivity levels, companies made key changes such as reducing the frequency and duration of meetings and incorporating digital tools to streamline processes. These adjustments, along with optimized workloads, allowed employees to maintain or even increase their pace of work.
Effect on Employee Satisfaction
The experiment in Germany also showed improvements in employee well-being, with 50% of employees reporting a significant improvement in their quality of life. Employees reported sleeping an additional 38 minutes per week, engaging in more physical activities, and experiencing reduced stress levels. This led to an 8% increase in employee retention.
Opinions of the Business Association
Despite the positive results, the BDA business association expressed reservations about reducing work hours, suggesting instead to optimize the work schedule. BDA director Steffen Kampeter proposed the idea of allowing companies and employees to work more days from Monday to Thursday and take Fridays off as a flexibility option without reducing total work hours.
In conclusion, Germany’s experiment with the four-day workweek has yielded positive outcomes for both companies and employees, potentially paving the way for a new approach to productivity and workplace well-being in the future.
