Germany adopts 4-day work week trial starting February 1, here's why

Germany is taking on a 4-day work week for a six-month trial period starting February 1, 2024. This work model is being adopted by 45 companies in the country. The pilot project is being led by 4 Day Week Global which is a New Zealand-based non-profit organization. Time will tell how beneficial the trials turn out to be for the companies and employees. 

Purpose of 4-day work week trial

Germany is adopting a shorter work week with the hopes of improving the well-being of employees and increasing their productivity during working hours. With this new implementation, the nation is also addressing economic challenges. 

The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported, that in 2022 Germans were not able to work for an average of 21.3 days which resulted in a loss of 207 billion Euros or approximately INR 1,86,55,87,26,60,900. Further Bloomberg reported that unhappy employees displayed low engagement at work which cost the global economy €8.1 trillion in 2023.

4 Day Week Global explained that, during the trial period, although employees would be allotted fewer working hours weekly and get the same pay, productivity would not diminish as their output would likely improve. Also, employees are predicted to take fewer leaves due to sickness, burnout, or stress. 

This is expected to help reduce economic losses for both the companies and on a global level as well. Germany has a high proportion of part-time workers in the European Union (EU), and the four-day week may help in attracting more potential in this segment.

Countries that have tried  4-day work week 

The working model 4 Day Week Global has disclosed that such experiments were successful in the past when conducted in Canada, the US, the UK, and Portugal. Employees who took part in the trials reported an improvement in physical and mental health and fewer burnouts. Germany expects to see similar positive outcomes. 

Visit the 4 Day Week Global website to learn more:

4 Day Week Global

Belgium was the first country in the EU to implement an optional 4-day work week back in 2022.  However, they adjusted the working hours to be the same as a 5-day week. Companies in Japan also encouraged their workers to follow a 4-day work week. Their purpose was to allow people to enjoy more family time and have more free time to spend money. This would help to boost the aging population as well as the economy.  

Concerns regarding 4-day work week 

Germany's Finance Minister Christian Lindner has voiced concerns regarding the idea of a shorter work week as he worries that it has the potential to threaten Germany's economic growth, as per a Bloomberg report. He brings up valid concerns but the feedback that is provided by 4 Day Week Global regarding the successes of past experiments suggests that this trial is worth giving a try.