Germany’s 4 Day Week Success Story: A Blueprint for Europe’s Future of Work
Berlin, 18th October – Germany’s largest-ever 4 day week pilot has revealed significant benefits for both employees and organisations, with broad industry participation and robust scientific methods underpinning the results. Organised by 4 Day Week Global in partnership with the University of Münster and Intraprenör, this trial is the second largest dataset on the 4 day week globally and the first major pilot in Central Europe.
The trial involved over 45 organisations across sectors like consulting, manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and media, with data collected from 41 companies, demonstrating that the 4 work week model is adaptable across various industries.
“Germany has always been a symbol of efficiency and innovation,” said Dr. Dale Whelehan, CEO of 4 Day Week Global. “This trial shows that the 4 day week can work across different sectors and business models. As Europe’s largest economy, Germany sets the stage for other European countries to follow suit. If it works here, it can work across the continent.”
Key Findings: Health, Well-Being, and Productivity
The German pilot, distinct for its scientific rigor, collected objective physiological data via smartwatch tracking and cortisol hair samples to measure stress and health, alongside three waves of data collection that included surveys and interviews.
Lower Stress and Better Health: Smartwatch data revealed significantly lower daily stress minutes for 4 day week participants, with reduced cortisol levels. Employees also reported 38 minutes more sleep per week and increased physical activity.
Stable or Improved Productivity: Despite reduced working hours, productivity remained stable or improved, with efficiency gains linked to optimised work processes and fewer distractions.
Enhanced Job Satisfaction: Over 90% of employees said the four-day week positively impacted their well-being, life satisfaction, and work-life balance, reinforcing the growing global trend of employees valuing more personal time.
Prof. Julia Backmann, lead academic on the project from the University of Münster, noted: “This study stands out for its use of objective data. Beyond self-reports, the physiological data on stress, activity, and sleep underscores the health benefits for employees. It also shows that that reduced working hours.”
Flexible Implementation Across Sectors
One of the pilot’s successes lay in its flexibility. 60% of organisations applied the four-day week across their entire workforce, while 40% implemented it for specific teams. The majority opted for one full day off per week, but various models were explored, showing that the four-day week can be tailored to fit different business needs.
Carsten Meier, Managing Director of Intraprenör, commented:
“This trial has proven that flexible work models don’t have to come at the cost of performance. By giving companies the freedom to implement the 4 day week in ways that suited their operations, we’ve seen remarkable positive results. It’s not just about working fewer hours – it’s about working smarter.”
Global Context and the Future of Work
Germany’s pilot adds to a growing body of international research, including trials in the UK, US, Portugal, Brazil, and South Africa, all of which report similar benefits in well-being, productivity, and organisational stability. This pilot confirms the adaptability of the 4 day week across diverse industries and economies, making it a key model for future work practices.
With 70% of participating organisations planning to continue the 4 day week, it’s clear that this is not just a temporary experiment but a sustainable model for the future. 89% of companies also saw the four-day week as a way to enhance employer attractiveness, improving recruitment and retention in a challenging labour market.
Challenges and Learnings
While the results are overwhelmingly positive, the trial also highlighted some challenges. Two large manufacturing companies discontinued the four-day week due to economic pressures, underscoring that certain industries face specific hurdles in adopting this model.
“The 4 day week is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but this trial shows that it works across a variety of sectors,” said Dr. Whelehan.
Call to Action: Europe’s Moment for Change
Germany’s success has paved the way for other European countries to embrace the 4 day week, with trials already planned across Sweden, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Norway, and the Netherlands in late 2024 and early 2025.
“Momentum and demand for the 4 day week is growing,” concluded Dr. Whelehan. “Germany has shown that it works, and now it’s time for the rest of Europe to take the next step toward a healthier, more sustainable future of work.”
About 4 Day Week Global
4 Day Week Global is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the adoption of reduced working hours. Through rigorous research, consulting, and advocacy, we aim to make the 4 day week a cornerstone of the future of work, focusing on productivity and well-being.
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