4-Day, 32-Hour Work Week: Can It Work?

Working 40 hours a week over five days has become common for most full-time employees. People often refer to it as the traditional or standard work week. One variation is a “4/10” schedule, when an employee works four 10-hour days and then gets three days off each week. This is sometimes called a “compressed” work week. The 4/10 plan was tried in the past and did not catch on broadly. Employees who work 40 hours a week on any schedule typically receive benefits and other job perks from their employers, while those who work fewer days and hours do not.

Economist and sociologist Juliet Schor says the traditional approach to work scheduling needs a redesign. Thirty-two hours over four days is enough work in most jobs, she claims, and it should be considered full-time and paid as such. She’s leading four-day work week trials in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, and the results so far have been overwhelmingly positive. They include increased employee well-being, lower stress, better health and more sleep. Employers have also been enthusiastic. Making the case for this model—fewer hours and days, full-time pay—Schor explains how it could address major challenges like burnout and the climate crisis. She shows how companies and governments could collaborate to make it a reality.

In this program you will hear about the trials and where the 4-day work week will work.

News: “A 4-day work week may be coming to Maryland” (1.27.23)

     Wall Street Journal article (used 2.22.23 in The Oregonian via Associated Press)