Reports > Management

Introduction of a four-day workweek: Efficiency matters rather than time

2023.12.20 Sung-Ii Jo

Sung-Ii Jo

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#management innovation #organizational culture #talent management
The way we work is changing due to many factors like the evolving business environment and technological advancements. Recently, with the proliferation of telecommuting and flexible work arrangements, there is a growing interest in the four-day workweek.
Currently, as an initial stage, rather than reducing the standard workweek from 40 hours per week (five days) to 32 hours per week, a new approach is emerging where employees maintain a 40-hour workweek but take Fridays off by redistributing work hours. This shift is anticipated to become a key aspect of future work practices. This report explores the significance of the four-day workweek, research cases, and implementation issues that are likely to shape the core aspects of how we work in the near future.

Executive Summary

  • In line with global trends, there is a gradual trend of reducing working hours in South Korea.

    • Statutory working hours decreased gradually after the introduction of the six-day workweek (48 hours per week) in 1953, eventually adopting the five-day workweek in July 2004.

    • In June 2023, Samsung Electronics' declaration of a four-day workweek has garnered increased attention.

  • Experiments conducted internationally on the four-day workweek generally yield positive results.

    • Experiments conducted in Iceland from 2015 to 2019 revealed that a four-day workweek without wage cuts enhances both employee well-being and productivity.

    • Results from a 2022 experiment involving UK businesses align mostly with the previous research findings.

  • The success factors of the four-day workweek lie in efficiency improvement rather than time reduction.

    • Obstacles to the implementation of this system stem from the misconception that reduced working hours directly lead to decreased productivity.

    • Addressing prevailing inefficiencies is deemed more effective than attempting to increase productivity proportionate to the reduced time commitment.

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