What Is a 4-Day Work Week? The Definitive Guide (2026)

Originally published on 4DayJob.

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Meta Description: Everything you need to know about the four day work week in 2026: how it works, schedule examples, benefits, companies offering it, and how to find 4-day work week jobs.

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Quick Definition

A 4-day work week is a work arrangement where employees work four days per week instead of the traditional five, typically with no reduction in pay. The most common model is the 100-80-100 principle: 100% of the pay for 80% of the time, while maintaining 100% productivity. Most companies give employees Friday off, though some offer flexibility to choose their preferred day off.

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The traditional 5-day, 40-hour work week has been the standard for nearly a century. But in 2026, a growing movement is challenging this norm. The four day work week is transforming how we think about work-life balance, productivity, and employee wellbeing.

Whether you're an employee dreaming of an extra day off each week, or simply curious about how a 4-day work week schedule actually works in practice, this guide covers everything you need to know about this revolutionary workplace trend.

How Does a 4-Day Work Week Actually Work?

The 4 day work week isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. Companies implement it in several different ways, each with its own advantages and trade-offs. Here are the most common models:

The 100-80-100 Model (True 4-Day Work Week)

This is the gold standard of 4 day work week hours arrangements. The 100-80-100 principle means:

• 100% of the pay – No salary reduction
• 80% of the time – Working 32 hours instead of 40
• 100% productivity – Maintaining the same output

In this model, employees work their full-time hours across four days, typically 8 hours per day, for a 32 hour work week. This is the model most workers prefer because it offers a genuine reduction in working time without financial penalty.

Example: A software developer earning $80,000/year works Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm (with lunch break), and has every Friday off while maintaining their full salary.

The Compressed Work Week (4x10 Model)

In this arrangement, employees still work 40 hours but compress them into four 10-hour days. While you get an extra day off, the trade-off is longer daily hours.

Pros:

• Full 40-hour salary maintained
• Three-day weekends every week
• Easier for employers to implement (same total hours)

Cons:

• Longer days (10+ hours) can lead to fatigue
• Less daily flexibility for personal appointments
• May reduce productivity in later hours

Example: A customer service representative works Monday-Thursday, 7am-6pm, with a longer lunch break, earning the same as their 5-day colleagues.

Hybrid and Flexible Models

Some companies offer creative variations:

• Alternating weeks: Work 4 days one week, 5 days the next
• Choose your day: Pick which day you want off (Monday, Friday, or Wednesday)
• Seasonal 4-day weeks: Summers only, or specific quarters
• Team rotation: Different teams take different days off to maintain 5-day coverage

Which Day Off Is Most Common?

According to 2025-2026 research on companies with 4 day work week schedules:

• Friday: 61% of companies
• Monday: 14% of companies
• Employee choice: 19% of companies
• Wednesday (midweek break): 4% of companies
• Rotating schedule: 2% of companies

Friday is overwhelmingly the most popular choice, creating a three-day weekend that employees can use for travel, rest, or personal projects.

4-Day Work Week Schedule Examples

Here are real-world schedule examples showing how does a 4 day work week work in practice:

Schedule 1: Tech Startup (32-Hour True 4-Day Week)

Schedule 2: Marketing Agency (Compressed 4x10)

Schedule 3: Consulting Firm (Flexible Choice Model)

Employees choose their preferred day off. The company maintains 5-day client coverage by having different team members off different days.

Schedule 4: Customer Service (Rotating Teams)

Team A and Team B alternate schedules to provide continuous coverage:

Team A Week 1: Mon-Thu (Team B covers Friday)

Team A Week 2: Tue-Fri (Team B covers Monday)

This ensures someone is always available while everyone gets consistent 4-day weeks.

The History of the 4-Day Work Week Movement

The four day work week might seem like a modern innovation, but the idea of reducing working hours has been evolving for over a century.

Henry Ford and the 5-Day Week (1926)

Before we had the 4-day work week debate, we had the 5-day work week revolution. In 1926, Henry Ford made headlines by giving Ford Motor Company workers Saturday and Sunday off—unheard of at a time when six 10-hour days were standard.

Ford's reasoning? "People who have more leisure must have more clothes. They must have a greater variety of food. They must have more transportation facilities." He understood that well-rested workers with free time were both more productive AND better consumers.

This same logic drives the modern 4-day work week movement.

Early Experiments (1970s-1990s)

Companies experimented with 4-day schedules throughout the late 20th century, though mostly in compressed (4x10) formats. These early trials showed mixed results, partly because they didn't reduce total hours—they just redistributed them.

The Iceland Trials (2015-2019)

The modern 4 day work week movement really gained momentum with Iceland's groundbreaking trials from 2015-2019. This wasn't a small pilot—it involved 2,500 workers (about 1% of Iceland's workforce) across multiple sectors: offices, hospitals, police departments, and preschools.

Results:

• Productivity remained the same or improved in most workplaces
• Worker stress and burnout decreased dramatically
• Work-life balance scores improved significantly
• 86% of Iceland's workforce now has the right to reduced hours

The Iceland trials proved that the 32 hour work week could work at scale, not just in tech startups.

The UK Pilot Program (2022)

In June 2022, the UK launched the world's largest 4 day work week trial, coordinated by 4 Day Week Global, researchers at Cambridge and Oxford Universities, and Boston College.

Scale: 61 companies, ~2,900 employees across industries

Duration: 6 months (June-December 2022)

Results (published February 2023):

• 92% of companies chose to continue with the 4-day week
• Revenue increased by 1.4% on average
• 71% of employees reported lower burnout
• Hiring became easier (competitive advantage)
• Resignations dropped by 57%

This wasn't just tech companies—participants included a fish-and-chips shop, marketing agencies, financial services, and manufacturing companies.

Global Expansion (2023-2026)

By 2026, the four day work week has evolved from experiment to legitimate work model:

• 2023: Pilot programs launched in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa
• 2024: Belgium enshrined the right to request a 4-day week into law
• 2025: Over 200 companies globally adopted permanent 4-day policies
• 2026: Major tech companies including Bolt, Atom Bank, and Buffer continue 4-day operations; traditional industries begin serious consideration

Countries Leading the 4-Day Work Week

While no country has made the 4 day work week mandatory nationwide, several are at the forefront of this movement:

Iceland 🇮🇸

Status: 86% of workers have negotiated reduced hours

Model: Mostly 35-36 hour weeks, some true 32-hour schedules

Since: 2021 (following 2015-2019 trials)

Iceland is the undisputed leader. After successful trials, unions negotiated reduced hours across most of the economy. Workers report better work-life balance without productivity loss.

Belgium 🇧🇪

Status: Legal right to request 4-day week (since 2022)

Model: Compressed 40 hours into 4 days (4x10)

Caveat: Not a reduced-hour model, just redistributed

Belgium's law gives workers the right to work their full-time hours across four days instead of five, though it's up to employer approval.

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Status: Growing private-sector adoption

Model: Varies by company (32-hour and compressed models)

Momentum: Post-2022 pilot, dozens of companies permanently adopted

While there's no national mandate, the UK has become a hub for 4 day work week innovation, with companies like Atom Bank (430 employees) and Charity Bank leading the way.

Spain 🇪🇸

Status: Government-funded pilot programs

Model: 32-hour week with full pay

Started: 2021 pilot with government subsidies

Spain's government has funded pilot programs to help companies transition to 4-day weeks, covering some of the cost for participating businesses.

Japan 🇯🇵

Status: Government-encouraged, low adoption

Model: Varies (often compressed)

Challenge: Cultural resistance to reduced hours

The Japanese government has promoted the 4 day work week as a solution to overwork culture, though adoption remains limited. Companies like Panasonic and Microsoft Japan have experimented with 4-day weeks.

New Zealand 🇳🇿

Status: Private-sector innovation leader

Model: Mostly 32-hour true 4-day weeks

Notable: Perpetual Guardian's 2018 trial sparked global interest

New Zealand companies, particularly in professional services, have been early adopters. The country's 2018 trial by Perpetual Guardian (240 employees) showed a 20% productivity increase.

Who's Offering 4-Day Work Weeks?

The four day work week is no longer limited to startups and tech companies. In 2026, you'll find 4-day schedules across diverse industries:

Tech & Software

• Bolt (ride-sharing, 100K+ employees) – 4-day week since 2021
• Buffer (social media tool) – 32-hour week since 2020
• Basecamp (project management) – Summer 4-day weeks since 2008
• Wildbit (software products) – Year-round 4-day week

Finance & Professional Services

• Atom Bank (UK digital bank, 430 employees) – 4-day week since 2021
• KPMG (selected offices) – Compressed 4-day options
• Perpetual Guardian (NZ trust company) – 4-day week since 2018

Marketing & Creative

• Kick-start (UK marketing agency) – 4-day week since 2015
• MRL Consulting Group (NZ) – 4-day week since 2018
• Tyler Grange (UK environmental consultancy) – 4-day week since 2021

Healthcare & Nonprofits

• Bupa Care Services (UK care homes, trial locations)
• Various NHS trusts (UK, pilot programs)
• Charity Bank (UK) – 4-day week for 90 employees

Other Industries

• Rich's Towing (tow truck service)
• Pressure Washing Co. (residential services)
• Yo! Sushi (UK locations, trial)
• Garden House Hospice (UK hospice care)

Want to work at one of these companies? Browse hundreds of 4-day work week jobs at 4DayJob.com – we curate opportunities from companies committed to the 4-day schedule.

For a complete list of companies offering 4-day work weeks, check out our comprehensive Companies with 4-Day Work Weeks directory.

Is a 4-Day Work Week Right for You?

The 4 day work week schedule sounds appealing, but it's not perfect for everyone. Here's an honest look at the pros, cons, and what to consider.

Benefits of a 4-Day Work Week

✅ Better work-life balance: An extra day for family, hobbies, appointments, or rest

✅ Reduced burnout: Shorter weeks mean more time to recover

✅ Higher productivity: Focused work in compressed time (for 32-hour models)

✅ Lower costs: One less commute day saves money and reduces environmental impact

✅ Improved mental health: Studies show reduced stress and anxiety

✅ More flexibility: Time for side projects, education, or caregiving

✅ Better recruitment/retention: Companies with 4-day weeks attract top talent

Potential Drawbacks

❌ Longer days (compressed models): 10-hour days can be exhausting

❌ Meeting scheduling: Coordination can be harder, especially across teams

❌ Customer coverage: Some industries struggle with reduced availability

❌ Not universal: Many industries/roles aren't compatible yet

❌ Adjustment period: Teams need time to optimize workflows

❌ Cultural resistance: Some managers still equate hours with productivity

Industries Where 4-Day Weeks Work Best

✅ Highly Compatible:

• Software development & tech
• Marketing and creative services
• Finance and accounting (with rotation)
• Professional services (consulting, legal)
• Remote-first companies
• Knowledge work with measurable outputs

⚠️ Possible with Adjustment:

• Healthcare (with team rotation)
• Customer service (with team coverage)
• Education (shortened weeks already common)
• Manufacturing (with shift scheduling)
• Retail (with flexible staffing)

❌ Challenging:

• Emergency services (fire, police, ambulance)
• 24/7 operations without rotation options
• Roles with strict regulatory hour requirements
• Client-facing roles requiring specific availability

Questions to Ask in Job Interviews

If you're considering a 4 day work week role, ask these questions:

1. "Which model do you use: 32-hour or compressed 40-hour?"
   
   ↳ Understand if it's a true reduced-hour week or just redistributed

2. "Is there flexibility in which day I take off?"
   
   ↳ Some companies mandate Friday, others let you choose

3. "How do you handle urgent matters on the off day?"
   
   ↳ Clarify expectations around availability

4. "How long has the company been on a 4-day schedule?"
   
   ↳ Newer programs may still be working out kinks

5. "Are meetings concentrated on specific days?"
   
   ↳ Good programs protect focus time on certain days

6. "What productivity measures are in place?"
   
   ↳ Understand how performance is evaluated

7. "Do all departments participate, or just some?"
   
   ↳ Company-wide adoption usually works better

8. "Can you share employee feedback about the 4-day week?"
   
   ↳ Get real insights from people living it

How to Find a 4-Day Work Week Job

Ready to make the switch to a four day work week? Here's your action plan:

1. Search on 4DayJob.com

4DayJob.com is the leading job board exclusively for 4 day work week positions. Every listing is from a verified company offering 4-day schedules.

Features:

• Filter by industry, remote/hybrid/onsite, and country
• See which 4-day model each company uses (32-hour vs. compressed)
• Direct applications to hiring companies
• New jobs added weekly

Browse 4-Day Work Week Jobs Now →

2. Target Companies Already Offering 4-Day Weeks

Research companies that have publicly committed to 4-day schedules. Many list their 4 day work week hours policies on their careers pages. Check out our complete company directory for a curated list.

3. Use Standard Job Boards with Specific Searches

Try these search terms on LinkedIn, Indeed, or other job boards:

• "4 day work week"
• "32 hour work week"
• "four day week"
• "flexible schedule" + "Friday off"

4. Look for Remote-First Companies

Remote-first companies are statistically more likely to offer flexible schedules, including 4-day weeks. They're already optimized for asynchronous work and output-based productivity.

5. Ask During the Interview Process

Even if a job posting doesn't mention it, ask about 4 day work week policies:

"I noticed many companies are experimenting with 4-day work weeks to boost productivity and employee wellbeing. Is this something [Company] has considered or currently offers?"

This shows you're thinking about productivity and sustainability, not just fewer hours.

6. Negotiate It Into Your Offer

If you have valuable skills and a strong offer, consider negotiating for a 4-day schedule:

"I'm very excited about this role. Would you be open to discussing a 4-day work week arrangement? I'm happy to trial it with clear productivity metrics to ensure it works for both of us."

Some companies will agree to trials, especially for senior hires.

7. Join the 4-Day Week Community

Connect with others pursuing 4 day work week schedules:

• 4 Day Week Global – Resources and company directory
• Reddit r/4dayworkweek – Community discussions and company reviews
• LinkedIn 4-Day Work Week groups – Networking and job leads

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 4-day work week?

A 4-day work week is a work arrangement where employees work four days per week instead of five. The most common version is the 100-80-100 model: employees receive 100% of their salary for working 80% of the time (32 hours instead of 40) while maintaining 100% productivity. Some companies use a compressed model where employees work 40 hours across four 10-hour days.

How does a 4-day work week work in practice?

In a typical 4 day work week schedule, employees work Monday through Thursday (or Tuesday through Friday) with Friday off. Companies usually implement policies to protect focus time, reduce meeting load, and measure productivity by output rather than hours worked. Most 4-day companies use project management tools to track deliverables and ensure work is completed despite fewer days in office.

Do you still get paid the same on a 4-day work week?

Yes, in a true 4 day work week (the 100-80-100 model), employees receive their full salary while working fewer hours. This is a 32-hour work week with no pay reduction. However, in compressed models (4x10), employees work the same 40 hours just distributed across four days, so pay remains the same as a standard full-time role.

What are the typical 4-day work week hours?

4 day work week hours depend on the model. In the 100-80-100 model, employees typically work 8 hours per day for 4 days (32 total hours). In compressed models, employees work 10 hours per day for 4 days (40 total hours). Some companies offer 9-hour days (36 total hours) as a middle ground. The exact schedule varies by company, but Friday is the most common day off.

What is the 100-80-100 model?

The 100-80-100 model is the principle behind true 4-day work weeks: employees receive 100% of their pay for working 80% of the traditional time (32 hours instead of 40 hours), while delivering 100% of their previous productivity. This model was popularized by 4 Day Week Global and has been used successfully in trials across Iceland, the UK, and other countries.

Is a 32-hour work week the same as a 4-day work week?

A 32 hour work week is typically synonymous with a true 4-day work week (100-80-100 model), where employees work 32 hours across four 8-hour days. However, some "4-day work weeks" use a compressed schedule of 40 hours across four 10-hour days, which isn't a reduced-hour model. When job searching, clarify which model a company uses.

Which day is typically off in a 4-day work week?

Friday is the most common day off in a 4 day work week schedule (about 61% of companies). Monday is the second most common (14%), while some companies (19%) allow employees to choose their preferred day off. A small percentage use Wednesday as a midweek break or implement rotating schedules where different team members have different days off.

What companies offer 4-day work weeks?

Hundreds of companies now offer 4 day work weeks, including Bolt, Buffer, Atom Bank, Basecamp, Perpetual Guardian, Kickstarter, and many more. These companies span tech, finance, marketing, healthcare, and other industries. You can browse current openings at companies with 4-day schedules on 4DayJob.com or check our complete company directory.

Does a 4-day work week increase productivity?

Research from major 4 day work week trials shows that productivity typically remains the same or improves. The UK's 2022 pilot found productivity increased slightly (revenue up 1.4%) while employee wellbeing improved dramatically. Workers report fewer distractions, more focus, and better time management when they know they have less time to complete tasks. The key is measuring output rather than hours worked.

Can all jobs do a 4-day work week?

Not all jobs are equally suited to a four day work week, but more than you might think can adapt. Knowledge work, tech, professional services, and creative roles tend to be most compatible. Jobs requiring 24/7 coverage (healthcare, customer service) can implement team rotation schedules. Industries with strict hourly regulations or emergency services face the biggest challenges, though some are finding creative solutions.

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The Future of the 4-Day Work Week

The four day work week movement is no longer a fringe experiment—it's becoming a legitimate alternative to the 5-day standard. As of 2026, we're seeing:

• Legislative momentum: More countries considering laws supporting reduced-hour work
• Competitive advantage: Companies using 4-day weeks to attract top talent
• Productivity focus: Shift from measuring hours to measuring outcomes
• Global trials: Ongoing research in dozens of countries
• Industry expansion: Beyond tech into traditional sectors

The question isn't whether the 4 day work week will become more common—it's how quickly it will spread.

For workers, the opportunity is now. Whether you're actively job searching or just curious about what's possible, the 32 hour work week is no longer a distant dream. It's a reality for thousands of workers, and the companies offering it are hiring.

Ready to find your 4-day work week job?

👉 Browse 4-Day Work Week Jobs on 4DayJob.com

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Last updated: February 2026