A recent study has revealed that 15 Australian institutions have successfully implemented a 4-day workweek, with 14 of them deciding to continue this arrangement post-trial. Notably, none of the institutions reported a decline in productivity. The research, published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, analyzed the experiences of these institutions between 2023 and 2024.
The participating institutions followed the '100:80:100' model, where employees received full pay for working 80% of their previous hours, with the expectation of maintaining the same level of productivity. Researchers highlighted that a significant number of institutions adopted the 4-day workweek to reduce employee stress and burnout. Six institutions specifically mentioned that improving employee well-being and work-life balance was their primary goal.
According to a 2025 survey by Australia's mental health organization Beyond Blue, one in two workers in the country is at risk of burnout, with young workers and parents being particularly affected. The CEO of a participating health technology firm noted that reducing excessive leave, absenteeism due to illness, and mental fatigue were key indicators of their success.
The study found that six institutions reported increased productivity, while the rest maintained previous levels. Productivity was assessed using metrics such as revenue, profit, timely project completion, and customer satisfaction. However, researchers cautioned that the study's scope is limited, as the 4-day workweek model is relatively new in Australia, and there may be some bias in the responses from those directly involved in implementing the change.
