The four-day workweek shows promising results in pilot program study
Exos found that 91% of employees felt they spent their time at work effectively, compared to only 64% of employees surveyed prior to the program.
Many European countries have already embraced the idea of a 4-day workweek. Now, U.S. business leaders are considering how to improve employee wellness without sacrificing their performance goals.
A new study conducted by Exos, a science-driven performance company, found that the implementation of a four-day workweek pilot resulted in sales growth of 211% from July to December compared to sales from the previous year.
In addition to the four-day workweek, Exos implemented intentional scheduling, meeting auditing, daily microbreaks and other tactics aimed at maintaining business goals while improving employee wellness. The results were astounding — Exos found that 91% of employees felt they spent their time at work effectively, compared to only 64% of employees surveyed prior to the program. Additionally 91% of employees said they were productive at work, compared to only 67% of employees surveyed prior.
“It’s impossible for leaders to ignore the many challenges today’s workforce is facing. Problems like exhaustion, high levels of stress, and an unprecedented pace of change are all causing workers to burnout in record numbers,” says Exos’ CEO, Sarah Robb O’Hagan.
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The pilot program also positively affected employee burnout and retention rates. According to the study, the rate of employees who experience burnout at least some of the time fell from 70% before the pilot, to only 36% after. Employee retention rates also dramatically improved from 47% in 2022, to 29% in 2023.
According to Adam Grant, organizational psychologist and Wharton School of Business professor, many business leaders believe there is a trade-off between high levels of performance and employee wellbeing. However, he says, “Our data suggest that this doesn’t have to be the case. In a rapidly evolving corporate environment, it’s possible to rethink the way we work to increase both wellbeing and performance.”