Germany and the Netherlands are adopting the four day work week to combat employee burnout.
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The four day work week, something that at one point seemed like a faraway dream for many, is quickly becoming the reality for workers in European countries, and they are reaping the benefits big-time. A number of European countries, including the Netherlands, are revolutionising the way they work by introducing a four-day model, and it has been found to be extremely influential for the employees’ mental and overall health, according to some studies done on the experiment.
The Netherlands, along with Germany, are leading the exploration into the four day work week, prioritising their employees’ mental health, the work-life balance, and a more flexible approach to a traditional job. In many places in both countries, the traditional 9-5 lifestyle has been swapped out for the four day work week, with employees choosing to do all 40 hours during those four days, for no less pay. Some companies have even made remote work an option, and some have made an effort to offer more part-time roles. The result has been a staggeringly positive impact on the workers’ mental health, freedoms, and the activities they choose to do in their free time.
Germany and the Netherlands, leaders in a more balanced work life structure
Most importantly, the four day work week was extremely beneficial to the employees’ sleep patterns. The new pattern of work led to less sleep problems and fatigue, and underlined the importance of sleep to overall physical and mental health.
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The companies participating also found that employees were happier and less likely to take sick leave. In Germany, in tech, creative, and corporate sectors, they have readily made hybrid schedules an option, as well as reducing the rigidity of existing schedules to see how employees could manage their own time. The results were staunchly in favour of the employees.
The Netherlands in particular are leaders by example of this honour-system work week structure; the Dutch measure success not by how long their employees sit at their desks, but by how much they can get done in their own times. In both countries, not only startups, but mid-sized and large businesses are also joining in on the experiment.
Additionally, with an extra day to disconnect from work, the countries found that the employees are more willing to participate in community events, as well as connect more closely with their family members and friends in their area. With more time, parents spent it with their children, taking care of their own elderly parents, volunteering, or participating in any number of social acitivities.
Moreover, both Germany and the Netherlands are also taking steps to combat burnout, as mental health facilities are made more readily available for their employees, as well as implementing mandatory holiday time.
Finally, astoundingly, both countries found that under this four day work week structure, not only did productivity not change – it actually improved. As employees were battling less burnout, less depression, less anxiety, and less sleep deprivation, they were able to get more done in a shorter amount of time.
COVID-19: The pandemic that changed how we think about work
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, companies and employees alike began to question the traditional 9-5 work week. Spending such an extended period of time indoors and working from home gave employees and companies a new perspective on work life aspects such as long commutes, burnout-inducing workloads, schedules, and working from home.
One of the biggest takeaways from the global pandemic was that more hours, more rigid scheduling, and more in-office work doesn’t necessarily equate to more productivity. During that period, many people discovered that they were perfectly capable of not only doing their job from home, but managing their own time as well – and countries such as Germany and the Netherlands took note.
An experiment, on a global scale
Other countries experimenting with the four day structure include Poland, Iceland, and Portugal. Belgian workers also are being granted the rights to request a four day week. Recently, a six-month trial with this structure was also done with companies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the United States. Across the board, employees noted a positive change in their mental health, physical health, sleep schedules, burnout prevention, and job satisfaction.
With this widespread effort, European countries such as the Netherlands and Germany are changing the way we think about our work-life balance, and showing that the four day work week could indeed lead to a brighter future for workers, with less stress, less depression, and less burnout.