List of Countries Having 4 Working Days in a Week

A lot of people who work Monday through Friday frequently feel worn out by the middle of the workweek and long for one more day off. Now and then they are fortunate enough to get an official holiday that shortens the workweek to four days. Due to the advantages a four-day workweek offers to both companies and employees, more nations around the world are implementing it.

Countries around the world are progressively embracing the concept of a four-day workweek, recognizing its numerous advantages for both employees and employers. Various trial programs conducted globally have yielded encouraging results, demonstrating significant benefits such as enhanced productivity, improved work-life balance, and reduced absenteeism due to fewer sick leaves. Employees report higher morale and job satisfaction, while employers notice a positive impact on overall efficiency.

In addition to these benefits, the four-day workweek also helps in lowering childcare expenses, offering families more flexibility and time together. This shift towards a shorter workweek reflects a growing awareness of the importance of mental health, employee well-being, and the need for a more sustainable work culture.

As more countries and companies explore this model, it is becoming increasingly evident that the four-day workweek could play a crucial role in shaping the future of work, offering a balanced approach that meets the needs of both businesses and their workforce.

Now let's discuss the list of countries having 4 days of working.

List of Countries Having 4 Days Working in a Week

France

In France, while there is no legal mandate for a four-day workweek, many businesses are adopting this practice. This trend is influenced by the country's longstanding law, implemented in 2000, which established a 35-hour workweek and is unlikely to be changed. According to France's Labor Ministry, around 10,000 workers in the country already follow a four-day workweek.

Portugal

Following the success of trial programs in other countries, Portugal has decided to experiment with a four-day workweek. In a government-funded pilot, 39 private companies have joined, following the "100:80:100 model" - 100% pay for 80% of the time while committing to maintaining at least 100% productivity.

Scotland

In Scotland, a government trial for civil servants is set to start, and the Welsh government is also considering its trial. This decision fulfills a campaign promise by the ruling Scottish National Party.

Ireland

In Ireland, the Four Day Week Ireland campaign has initiated a six-month pilot campaign, aiming to promote a gradual and well-managed transition to a shorter working week for all workers in both private and public sectors. The implementation of a four-day week may vary among companies, and it may not necessarily result in everyone having a three-day weekend. Flexible measures, such as implementing rosters, could be adopted to ensure that businesses can remain fully operational for five days a week.

South Africa

South Africa has more than 500 employees participating in a four-day workweek trial that began in March and will continue until September. Another trial is planned to start in June.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has had a short average workweek since the early 1990s, and companies like Dell and Canon have implemented 32-hour options for workers.

United States

In the United States, various state and local governments, as well as individual companies like Basecamp, Kickstarter, and Boulder, CO, have experimented with a four-day workweek. A six-month trial featuring 38 companies from the US and Canada began in April 2022.

Belgium

Belgium has recently joined the group of countries offering a four-day workweek to its employees, aiming to enhance work-life balance. While employees are required to maintain a 38-hour work week, they can work longer hours over four days to gain an extra day off.

Spain

Spain has introduced a pilot program for a four-day work week, committing to a 32-hour work week for three years without reducing workers' compensation. To mitigate employers' risks, the government will cover the salary difference for the companies involved in the pilot program, with an investment of approximately $60 million.