The four-day workweek, once seen as radical, is gaining traction globally. We interviewed Andrew Barnes in 2021 about his pioneering experiment at Perpetual Guardian. Now, with new research showing impressive results, it’s time to revisit the idea and consider whether a shorter workweek could be the future of work. Here's what you need to know.
Fast forward to today, and consistent research is proving it works. A recent study in Germany, published in 2024, involving 41 organisations across various sectors, highlighted the transformative potential of the four-day week.
Over 70% of participating organisations said they planned to continue or expand the initiative. The benefits didn’t stop at productivity - employee wellbeing improved dramatically. Participants reported lower stress, better sleep, and increased physical activity, with smartwatch data backing up these claims.
Barnes himself has been a trailblazer in this movement. We spoke with him on the ROW podcast in 2021 to explore his journey, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned. But before diving into the global shift this idea has inspired, let’s revisit the basics: what exactly is the four-day workweek, and why does it work?
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