An introduction to the
4 DAY WORKWEEK
Jon Leland
The 4 Day Workweek campaign
workfour.org
Jon Leland
Chief Strategy OFFicer - Kickstarter
Founder - The 4 day workweek campaign
workfour.org
1 What is a 4 day workweek?
2 Research
3 Case Study: Kickstarter
4 How to start the conversation
5 US Pilot and getting started
6 Q&A
A four day workweek is a new norm for work.
80% hours
100% pay and benefits
100% productivity
A four day workweek is a new norm for work.
The expectation that with good leadership, better practices, and the better balance and engagement a shorter workweek provides, we can usually get our work done in 32 hours/4 days a week.
A four day workweek is a new norm for work.
We can build a better balance between work, family, rest, health, and the rest of life in a way that benefits organizations and people.
We’ve done
this before.
Research
After five pilot studies involving hundreds of employers across four countries in a wide range of industries, we are confident that…
A 4 day workweek is better for employees.
Better mental health
71% had reduced levels of burnout by the end of the trial.
43% said their mental health had improved.
A 4 day workweek is better for employees.
Better physical health
40% of employees said their physical health got better
Nearly half of workers said they weren’t as tired and 40% said it was easier to get to sleep.
A 4 day workweek is better for employees.
Time for family & connection
More than half of parents who work full-time say they don’t have enough time with their kids.
Work life balance improved by 35% after 12 months.
A 4 day workweek is better for employees.
Time to develop new skills
49% of Millenials and 44% of Gen Z say that they’d use an extra day off to develop their work skills
A 4 day workweek is better for employees.
Better mental health
Better physical health
Time for family and connection
Time to develop new skills
People that try a 4 day workweek, love it.
95%
of employees want to continue their 4 day workweek
45%
would require a pay increase of greater than 25% to return to a regular five-day schedule
14%
no amount of money would induce them to go back to a standard five-day week
A 4 day workweek is better for employers.
Equal or increased productivity
UK study
64% report increased staff productivity
63% report improved quality of work
US Pilot
8/10 productivity rating
A 4 day workweek is better for employers.
Retain
talent
Staff departures dropped by 57% over the trial period.
A 4 day workweek is better for employers.
Lower
costs
It cuts down on utility usage, wear and tear on machines and sick days.
Microsoft Japan reduced costs by 23% in electricity charges alone.
A 4 day workweek is better for employers.
Equal or increased productivity
Lower costs
Retain talent
Businesses that try a 4 day workweek, keep it.
100%
continuation rate
US 2022 Pilot
92%
continuation rate
UK 2022 Pilot
A 4 day workweek is better for society.
More civic engagement
25% of employees with an extra day off volunteer.
A 4 day workweek is better for society.
Lower carbon emissions
A 4 day workweek would reduce US carbon emissions by at least 50 Million tons–more than the annual carbon emissions of 16 US states.
A 4 day workweek is better for society.
Better gender equity
“A four-day workweek would enable working people, regardless of gender, to have more time to fulfil childcare and other family and personal responsibilities, without leaving the workforce.”
A 4 day workweek is better for society.
More civic engagement
Lower carbon emissions
Better gender equity
Government, policy makers, and labor are lining up behind a 4 day workweek.
How Kickstarter made a 4 day workweek work
Our major departments
Product
Community
Operations
Our 4 day workweek: always 4 and never 3
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Holiday | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
3 day weekend
4 day weekend
2 day weekend
3 day weekend
A successful 4 day workweek involves everyone.
Leadership
Teams
Individuals
Prove it with a pilot
DESIGN
4 weeks
PREPARATION
4 weeks
PILOT
3-6 months
ANALYSIS
2-3 weeks
Outcomes at Kickstarter
Employee Engagement
Work-Life Balance
Motivation to go beyond
Working at KSR in 2 years?
OKR achievement rate
62%
Employee Retention
➚ 95%
82%
➚ 98%
51%
➚ 73%
48%
➚ 81%
48%
➚ 77%
39%
➚ 62%
3,564
days returned to employees in 12 months
"The extra time I get with my children, who are growing up too fast, is beyond valuable."
— Christina Medeiros, Trust and Safety Analyst
Starting the Conversation
Tips for introducing the 4 day workweek at your workplace.
Introduce the topic neutrally
Identify executive allies
Lead a data informed process
US Pilot and Getting Started
Join the 2023 4 day workweek pilot!
Key information
Benefits
Learn more: workfour.org/2023-pilot
We can help you chart your path.
There are a number of options for employers looking to transition to a 4 day workweek. We can help you navigate the options of joining the pilot, engaging a consultant, or just designing your own trial period.
Partners
This is a once in a century opportunity to change the way we work for the betterment of everyone. You can make it happen.
THE 4 DAY WORKWEEK CAMPAIGN
WORKFOUR.ORG
JON.LELAND@WORKFOUR.ORG
workfour.org/employer-contact
Q&A