Exploring the Implementation of the 4-Day Work Week Concept: Effects on Health, Job Satisfaction, and Productivity across Three Organizations
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This thesis explores the implementation aspects of a four-day work week concept without cuts in salary, considering the potential effects on worker health, productivity and overall job satisfaction. Previous research provided essential background information and context to establish a primarily understanding of the topic. The studies that have been conducted confirmed the connection between work arrangements and various aspects of employee well-being and organizational performance. Reduced working hours, according to previous studies, have been associated with improved health and higher job satisfaction that could potentially lead to improvements in job performance and enhance the overall productivity. This study delves into the implications of implementing a four-day work week concept across three distinct organisations: Altitude Meetings, Sandqvist, and Region Östergötland Surgical Care Department. A qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with a total of ten employees and managers was adopted to gather insights into the process and outcomes of the implementation. By integrating work-life balance principles and exploring the flexibility in work arrangements, the study examines the perceived outcomes deriving from the implementation of a four-day work week. Navigating the dynamics of this transition, within the participating organisations, contributed to the evaluation of the change using the ADKAR change model and the Human-Technology-Organization (HTO) framework. Each organization had introduced a different form of reduced working time, aiming at enhancing organisational performance with a more stable work-life balance for its employees. The findings suggest that a four-day work week with a full salary was mostly perceived as positive by the participants in this study, particularly in terms of enhanced job satisfaction, improved overall health, and maintained or increased productivity. At the first stages of the implementation, some difficulties were reported by employees to adapt to the change due to challenges in transferring and applying knowledge related to work methods. However, the participant’s enthusiasm and appreciation for the work time reduction contributed to an increased commitment to the change to ensure its success. The implementation enabled employees to experience a more balanced lifestyle between work and free time with additional time for recovery and personal activities that subsequently resulted in a more focused and effective utilization of time during work. The initiative was still in an experimental phase with a trial approach at the time of this research study. The organizations were evaluating the effects of the change to possibly retain it. It is recommended that further studies are conducted under longer periods of time, across different sectors and including less successful implementations, to identify additional potential challenges and refine implementation strategies.
Author: Es Said, Elias
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6981741288