Output not hours - 4 day work week

Is the traditional 5-day work week overdue for retirement? In this episode, John and Anna dive into the world of reduced working hours with academic psychologist Charlotte Rae, who leads the Sussex Four-Day Week Project. The trio explores the growing momentum behind the 4-day week movement, backed by robust data on well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction.

With a mix of personal stories, hard evidence, and challenging questions, they unpack whether this shift is just a nice idea—or a future-defining evolution in how we work.

Key Topics & Insights

• Where the 4-day week came from: A concept around since the 1970s, revitalized by the pandemic and recent business trials.
• Charlotte’s research findings: Staff on a 4-day week show:
  • Improved sleep and mood
  • Reduced burnout
  • Increased work engagement
  • ~8% productivity improvement on average
• Trust is a critical enabler: Smaller organizations (SMEs) are leading the way due to tighter relationships and higher flexibility.
• Scalability challenges: It can work in large orgs (e.g., Atom Bank), but requires longer lead times, careful planning, and internal champions.
• Not for everyone: A minority of participants saw reduced well-being or productivity, especially managers who struggle to disconnect.
• Impact on younger employees & career progression: The “cohort effect” of doing this together helps level the playing field, potentially more so than individual part-time arrangements.
• Terminology matters: "Four-day week" may be misleading. “Shorter,” “more productive,” or “smarter” work weeks may be better framing

Practical Takeaways

• Start with a trial mindset: Measure what matters, iterate, and learn.
• Focus on output, not hours: Encourage performance over presenteeism.
• Involve employees in the design: Co-create solutions to build trust and buy-in.
• Flex the model: From 4 days to 9-day fortnights—one size doesn’t fit all.
• Use the data: Hard evidence is your best selling point.

Resources Mentioned

• Sussex Four-Day Week Project
• Autonomy Think Tank study on AI & future work patterns
• Book by Andrew Barnes: “The 4 Day Week”

Verdict

Keep it. The 4-day week isn’t just a utopian dream—it’s a viable, evidence-backed shift that can benefit people and organizations. But it requires cultural change, leadership buy-in, and smart customization.

If you have any Dedx suggestions email us at team@samsas.one with the subject line Dedx Idea.

We would love to hear them!

John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jadm/

Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-wesson-54989929/

Music credit: by Yevhen Onoychenko from Pixabay

Disclaimer: The ideas discussed in this podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as serious business advice. Listeners are encouraged to do their own research and seek professional advice before implementing any of the ideas discussed.