4-Day Work Week

1. What’s the 4-Day Work Week

In simple terms — work 4 days instead of 5, get 3 days off. But how does that work? Here are the main models:

• Fixed Hours Model – 4 days × 8 hours = 32 hours/week. Total work hours are reduced.
• Compressed Hours Model – 4 days × 10–12 hours = 40–48 hours/week. Same hours, fewer days.

And the most popular one:

• 100-80-100 Rule
  100% salary, 80% time, 100% productivity expected.

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2. International Case Studies – Impact Backed by Data

Iceland (2015–2019)

• Participants: 2,500 people
• Hours reduced from 40 to 35–36/week
• Results:
  • Productivity remained the same or improved
  • Stress levels dropped
  • 86% of workers got permanently shorter hours
  • Nationwide positive impact

Microsoft Japan (2019)

• Trial duration: 1 month (August)
• Participants: 2,200+ employees
• Offices closed on Fridays
• Results:
  • Productivity increased by 40%
  • Electricity usage down 23%
  • Paper usage down 60%
  • 90% of employees were happy
  • Meetings capped at 30 minutes

🇬🇧 UK Pilot (2022)

• Duration: 6 months
• Companies: 61
• Employees: 2,900
• Model: 100-80-100
• Results:
  • 92% companies continued the model
  • 18% made it permanent
  • Stress ↓ 39%, Burnout ↓ 71%
  • Sick leaves ↓ 65%, Attrition ↓ 57%
  • Revenue ↑ by 1.4% average, 35% compared to previous years

3. 100-80-100 Rule

• Concept: 100% salary, 80% time, 100% productivity expected
  

The Desi Angle: What’s Happening in India?

Swiggy (May 2021)

• Launched a 4-day work week trial during the COVID peak
• Employees were allowed to pick their working days
• No public data, but it showed a progressive mindset

Indian IT Companies

• Some offer optional Fridays off
• Silent trials ongoing in various firms

Government Perspective

• The new Labour Code may allow a 4-day week with 12-hour shifts, totaling 48 hours/week
• Compressed schedules may lead to fatigue
• Government has clarified there’s no plan for 70-90 hour workweeks

Benefits for Employees: A Better Life

• Improved work-life balance
• Reduced stress
• Better mental health
• More time for family, hobbies, and learning
• Higher retention and lower attrition
• Employees feel more connected to life

IT Companies

• Some are offering optional Fridays off. Silent experiment chalu hai.

Indian Government Angle

• New Labour Code may allow 12 hours/day × 4 days = 48 hours/week.
• Lekin compressed model means burnout ka risk zyada.
• Govt ne clarify kiya: koi 70-90 hour/week ka plan nahi hai.

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Benefits for Employees: A Better Life

• Improved work-life balance
• Reduced stress
• Better mental health
• More time for family, hobbies, and learning
• Higher retention and lower attrition
• Employees feel more connected to life

Benefits for Employers: Business Boost

• Higher productivity
• Fewer sick days
• Lower utility costs
• Stronger employer branding — easier hiring
• Parkinson’s Law in action: less time = more focus

The Challenges

• Not suitable for every industry like retail, factories, or customer support
• Compressed models can cause fatigue
• Clients working 5-6 days may expect the same from you
• Indian hustle culture resists change
• Many bosses still equate hours with output

Business Metrics: What the Data Says

• Reduced operational costs — electricity, paper, water
• Lower hiring and training costs due to better retention
• Stable or improved productivity (as proven in UK, Iceland, Japan)
• Some firms like Buffer saw customer service quality improve

Can It Work in India?

It depends on several factors:

Business Type

• Easier for service and tech-based firms

Work Culture Change

• Indian bosses need to shift mindset from hours to outcomes

Startups

• Founders should focus on results, not office hours

MSMEs

• High risk unless operations and client servicing are well-managed

How to Test the 4-Day Week in India?

• Run a 3-month pilot
• Start with non-critical departments
• Collect feedback from employees and clients
• Track revenue, stress levels, sick days, and satisfaction
• Don’t copy-paste models from UK or Japan — create a uniquely Indian version

Bonus: AI + Automation Can Make It Easier

• Automate routine tasks using AI
• Free up employees to focus on creative and strategic work
• Save 1–2 hours per day per employee
• Smart tools + AI = sustainable 4-day week with no productivity loss

Final Thoughts

A 4-day work week isn’t just about working less. It’s about working smarter. When implemented right, it brings:

• Equal or better output
• Reduced operational cost
• Lower stress levels
• Happier and more loyal teams

For Indian entrepreneurs, this isn’t a Western gimmick. It’s a real, testable model that needs to be customized for Indian values and work culture. If done right, everyone wins — the team, the client, and yes, even the boss. khush, aur boss bhi khush.

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