What a Four-Day Workweek Means for Workers

Honing Efficiency and Increasing Space for Well-Being

The Certified B Corporation community is built of businesses trying new ways of working to help shape an economy that works better for everyone. B Corps and their partners are re-envisioning how business gets done through innovative policies, products, and processes.

This includes the nonprofit B Lab U.S. & Canada, part of the B Lab Global Network that oversees B Corp Certification, which officially adopted a four-day workweek in April 2024 after an initial pilot period launched in 2023. The four-day workweek is gaining recognition as a framework that can enhance work-life balance, with benefits including increased efficiency, greater employee engagement, and higher worker well-being.

But transitioning to a four-day workweek requires more than a schedule change. Organizations must rethink their daily routines and reconsider tasks and priorities to help employees get the most value out of their time — both at work and away — and take care of essential work. It’s a process that requires flexibility and communication. 

B The Change checked in with B Lab U.S. & Canada team members to hear their perspectives on how the four-day workweek has affected their work routine and changed their personal lives. They also offer tips and insights for other organizations considering the switch. 

What changes have you noticed in your work habits and workday routine with a four-day workweek structure?

The overall sentiment among B Lab U.S. & Canada team members is that a four-day workweek helps hone their focus on priority tasks so they make the most of their work time. It also prompts a re-examination of meetings — how long, how often, and how many people are involved. 

“My workdays feel more structured and productive, with less idle time in between meetings and tasks. I start working a bit earlier and might finish later than before the four-day workweek, but this routine makes me feel better. I am also more intentional about meetings.”

“I am more confident in deprioritizing work streams that are not core to my job responsibilities. I am also more intentional about the work/meetings I ask others to do or attend. I am also less stressed about personal tasks I need to complete because I know I have time on Fridays to take care of my personal life.”

“I encourage myself and others to prioritize more emergent and timely tasks. This also means timely decision-making and communication both internally and externally. However, I would like to make it clear that this has not created a shift in mindset to rush or create the illusion of false emergencies.”

“With the four-day workweek, I’ve noticed that I’m much more focused at work. The shortened week has forced me to reduce wasted time and focus more on what needs to be done.”

“I’ve seen thoughtful changes to meeting cadence, which creates the breathing room needed for a four-day workweek. Also, on rare occasions when I do have more work than can be done in four days, it’s nice to have Fridays as a truly silent day when it comes to small requests that can be distracting.”

What effects have you seen on your well-being?

While fewer work hours require more focus, extra hours away from work allow for some schedule flexibility. B Lab U.S. & Canada employees say they have more time to be active or connect with friends and family. 

“The effect on my well-being has been huge. I feel more in touch with myself and like I am more in control of my time and life.”

“I feel a sense of balance; more stress within the four days from a condensed week, but more space for my non-work life on the weekend that is nourishing and restorative. I’m less exhausted during the work week because I have ample time to rest.”

“It’s been a positive shift for my well-being in so many ways. I’m able to have a day to myself that’s not dedicated to work or kids. Sure, I can do chores or run errands, but I can also go for a hike too. It’s much-needed unscheduled time.”

“I spent most of the first six months of our four-day workweek pilot sleeping. I had no idea how exhausted I was and gave myself permission to get very little done on those Fridays off. I no longer need to sleep all day on Fridays but the option is always there, which is invaluable.”

“I’ve felt my understanding of work shift from being stressed out about things not getting done to a more ‘work will always be there and it will never all get done so don’t sweat it so much’ perspective, which is probably healthier.”

“I have more spaciousness and time to ideate, create, and imagine. I have a more creative role within the organization and use this time to aid in my creative processes and become inspired.”

How do you typically spend your “extra” day off?

Having a third weekend day provides B Lab U.S. & Canada team members with space to get errands and other tasks out of the way, fulfill caretaker duties, or enjoy some traveling. 

“I take care of my daughter who doesn’t go to preschool on Fridays, and my family saves $160 a week on childcare.”

“Chores and errands — longer, midday workouts. Basically ‘responsible’ things that allow me to spend the rest of the weekend with friends, my partner, or on a solo trip.”

“I typically go rock climbing outside since it’s less busy at the climbing areas on the weekdays as opposed to weekends. It’s also allowed me to go on longer weekend trips for camping and weddings.”

“My partner is off on my extra day and we typically only see each other two days out of the week. This ‘extra’ day allows us to spend quality time together, which is so sweet and valuable to us. I also sleep in, and as someone who has trouble sleeping, extra time is vital to my health and wellness.”

“I am a single parent with a small child. Without the four-day workweek structure, I would never have time for myself. With the four-day workweek, I’ve been able to spend time in my garden, workout, run errands alone, and even go to the spa every once in a while.”

“My Fridays are for life admin! I use this day to plan and set myself up for success for the week to come, grocery shop, call my mom, and schedule appointments. Once I’ve done that, I can head out early to the mountains and dig into some of my new hobbies, like mountain biking, yoga, and running. All of these I wasn’t able to do before! Sometimes I do some work to tie up loose ends, but I have no negative feelings toward that.”

What tips would you share with someone who wants to propose a four-day workweek trial at their business?

Communication and transparency are important tools for everyone involved, B Lab U.S. & Canada team members say. Keeping the ultimate goal — the well-being of employees and the organization — in mind can help smooth the transition. 

“Talk about R.O.I., of course — this is business after all. Explain the dramatic cost-savings that come from the dramatic increase in employee retention. Create a plan for making meetings less frequent and more effective. Be open to a flexible schedule for heavier work periods.”

“I think it’s helpful to discuss efficiency in this regard. When we first started this pilot, we felt we had too many meetings and irrelevant work streams that were not directly tied to our organizational goals. We framed the four-day workweek as a way to help combat this, and it has been successful. Because when people have the chance to maximize their free time, they will get serious about what work streams can be deprioritized while still being an efficient organization.”

“It takes courage and a bold attitude to shift the norm. A self-reminder and even one to your organization as they are considering a trial is an important mindset practice to help ground everyone and yourself into the reality of the work and really a new reality altogether.”

“Set some measurable goals. The four-day workweek team at B Lab USCA created a survey to gauge the state of employees’ well-being and productivity at work. It was given prior to the trial and then again after the trial. I think it was really helpful to prove the trial’s success.”

“The days are going to feel busier, and that’s OK. Make sure people know you are NOT expected to work on the fifth day, but if you need or want to, that’s your choice. Make a concerted effort before implementation to slim down meeting time. Projects are going to be completed slower; prepare yourself for that and remember this is the new pace of work.”

“Focus on why it is important work-wise, and your mental health in the long run. Think of it as compressing five days of work in four. So you’re not losing a workday technically. You’re just learning to become more efficient with time.”