More and more countries are experimenting with shorter working hours for the same pay. In Sweden, eleven organisations have also introduced a four-day workweek on a trial basis, including care homes, social services, energy providers and NGOs. The result: both the health and well-being of employees improved noticeably, and the change has also proved economically viable: 10 of the 11 organisations now intend to retain the shorter working hours.

In December 2023, eleven organisations from Malmö, Gothenburg, Jönköping and Bålsta launched a scientifically monitored pilot project on the four-day week. The study involved public, private and non-profit organisations. These included care homes, energy suppliers, social services, consultancy firms and NGOs. All organisations tested the 100:80:100 model for six months: employees worked around 20 per cent less but received 100 per cent of their pay – whilst maintaining the same output.

More sleep, less stress and less anxiety thanks to shorter working hours

The results of the pilot project are clear. Shorter working hours noticeably improved the living conditions of many employees. The effects on health and well-being are particularly significant:

• Measured stress levels fell by 19 per cent.
• Participants slept an average of 24 minutes longer per night.
• Sleep problems were halved.
• Anxiety symptoms decreased. The proportion of those without feelings of anxiety rose from 46.5 to 64.6 per cent.
• Both mental and physical health improved significantly.

These effects primarily affect employees in high-pressure jobs. In the care and social sectors in particular, increased workload (i.e. more work in the same or less time) and the resulting exhaustion are considered key problems. The positive effects achieved through reduced working hours are also linked to a better working atmosphere and a more balanced work-life balance. According to the study’s findings, social interaction within the team increased by 10 per cent and job satisfaction by 8 per cent. Overall life satisfaction even rose by 25 per cent, whilst time for leisure activities increased by 44 per cent. Energy levels for family and friends increased by 22 per cent.

High productivity thanks to reduced working hours

The economic indicators also paint a positive picture for the four-day working week in Sweden. Despite reduced working hours, business performance – including turnover – remained stable or even improved:

• Perceived productivity rose by 13 per cent.
• Work capacity increased by 10 per cent.
• Work intensity remained unchanged.
• Creativity and innovation increased in all areas measured.
• No participating company reported poorer economic results. Five companies recorded stable figures, and five others even saw improvements. Data is missing from only one small company.

Fewer meetings, better scheduling and improved logistics

In addition to shorter working hours, companies have fundamentally changed their organisations. Many introduced fixed-focus periods. Meetings were reduced or shortened. Blocking out time in the calendar allowed for concentrated work. In some cases, companies improved their scheduling and logistics.

“What surprised me most was how easy the implementation actually was – and how powerful the effect turned out to be. We saw results straight away, both in figures and in the atmosphere at work,” says Managing Director Erica Wärmé Ekblom of Evolve Redovisning AB, one of the participating companies.

According to project manager Sarah Uldal, it is important that each company finds its own solutions:

“The study confirms that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but that shorter working weeks must be adapted to each individual organisation. It was incredibly exciting to support the companies during the pilot phase and to see how they tested, adjusted and arrived at solutions that are realistic for them.”

The UK, Germany, Austria: More and more countries are trialling the four-day working week

The findings confirm international studies from countries such as the UK, Germany and Australia. The results of the trials are almost always the same: employees are more motivated, more productive and happier, whilst it also pays off for companies.

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