Shortening a workweek to four days without cutting pay has shown to improve job task efficiency and decrease employee fatigue across 141 companies, according to research published July 21 in Nature.
The study involved companies that allowed employees to work 80% of their regular hours for 100% of pay. Researchers assessed burnout, job satisfaction, mental and physical health at the 141 companies in comparison to 12 control companies in the U.S. The organizations with shortened workweeks spanned the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Compared to the control group, the four-day workweek was associated with a reduction in burnout, improvements in job satisfaction and mental health, and a minor improvement in physical health, according to the study.
Some health systems have enacted a four-day workweek for nurse managers. At Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, 43 nurse leaders participated in an optional four-day workweek in 2021. After implementing the new work schedule 15 months later, job satisfaction increased 6% and work-life balance satisfaction improved 45%.
At New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System, where nurse managers can work four 10-hour days, the organization has noted higher staff engagement, satisfaction and retention.
However, executives at other health systems, including Renton, Wash.-based Providence and New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, previously told Becker’s a four-day workweek might not be appropriate for all healthcare roles, particularly for hospital coordinators and clinic managers.
