Iceland’s 4-Day Work Week Benefits
- inquiries800
- Jun 2
- 1 min read
In 2019, Iceland implemented a four-day workweek, reducing standard working hours from 40 to 36 per week without cutting pay. Nearly six years later, this initiative has been widely adopted, with approximately 90% of the workforce benefiting from shorter hours. The transition began with trials involving around 2,500 workers, about 1% of the national workforce, between 2015 and 2019. These trials demonstrated that productivity remained stable or improved, while employee well-being saw significant enhancements, including reduced stress and better work-life balance. Rather than a government mandate, the shift was achieved through collective bargaining and union negotiations, allowing flexibility in implementation across various sectors. This approach enabled different workplaces to adapt the reduced hours in ways that best suited their operations. Overall, Iceland's experience suggests that a shorter workweek can lead to improved employee satisfaction and productivity without negatively impacting the economy.
Image via Farmingdale Observer
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