The benefits of a four-day workweek

The Associated Press speaks with Dale Whelehan, CEO of 4 Day Week Global, which coaches companies through the months-long process of shortening their employees’ work hours, about the reasons why organizations might want to let staff work four days a week to reduce job burnout and retain talent seeking a better work-life balance. He says the trend is gaining popularity in Australia and Europe, and Japan launched a campaign in August encouraging local employers to reduce their work schedules to four days. American companies haven’t adopted four-day weeks as broadly, but that could change, Whelehan says. Whelehan talks about why organizations should switch to a four-day workweek, the enduring prevalence of the 40-hour workweek, how companies can increase revenue while employees work fewer hours, how a four-day workweek can support equity, and what kinds of work could potentially be dropped to increase productivity.