Germany's 4-Day Work Week Trial: Was It Successful?

Germany’s Largest 4-Day Workweek Trial Wraps Up: 70% of Companies to Continue, but Data Raises Concerns

Germany’s largest 4-day workweek trial concluded with 70% of participating companies planning to maintain the reduced-hour model. However, experts have raised concerns about the study’s limitations, saying the data may not be sufficient for a nationwide shift.

Launched in February 2024, 45 German companies joined the trial, organized by Berlin-based consultancy Intrapenör and the non-profit 4 Day Week Global. During the trial, employees worked four days a week with no pay cuts. After a two-month onboarding period focused on task and communication efficiency, companies transitioned to the 4-day model. Researchers from the University of Münster closely monitored results, examining not only productivity and stress levels but also physical and mental health indicators through methods such as hair analysis, heart rate tracking, and sleep monitoring via smartwatches.

Lead researcher Julia Backmann reported improvements in productivity and overall health. Still, she noted that the 4-day model may not be feasible across all industries.

Experts Question the Scope and Data of the 4-Day Week Trial

Despite positive feedback, some experts criticized the trial’s limited scope and sample diversity. Enzo Weber, a labor expert from the University of Regensburg, pointed out that many participating companies were already open to adopting the 4-day workweek, potentially skewing the results and not fully representing Germany’s over 3 million businesses.

Of the 45 original participants, four companies left the trial, and only about a third of the remaining 41 adopted a three-day weekend. Around 20% reduced work hours by 11-19% per day, while half reduced them by just four hours weekly, meaning most employees did not receive an additional full day off.

Ultimately, while 70% of participants plan to continue with their adjusted models, experts stress that more diverse, large-scale trials are needed to assess the viability of a broader transition to a 4-day workweek in Germany."