Abstract

The four-day work week has been one of the more widely debated topics in business in recent years. Studies on impact of the four-day week on the performance of the firm reveal that productivity and profits typically increase after the reduced work week is implemented. However, some companies have experienced significant problems with this concept and a few have had to return to the five-day week. Favorable employee reaction has often been cited as one major reason for the success of the four-day week. Accordingly, a nationwide study of employee reactions to the four-day week was undertaken. Based on data gathered from a wide variety of employees and organizations, it was concluded that, for the numerous reasons noted, employees on the whole react favorably to the reduced work week. This generally favorable reaction is reflected by a substantial and virtually universal increase in employee satisfaction with the job, the extent of which is not, at least in most cases, a function of either employee or organizational demographics. Hence, it would appear to be to the businessman's benefit to seriously evaluate the possibility of a conversion to the reduced work week.