10 companies with a four-day work week
What companies have a four-day work week?
Many companies with a four day work week now run on four days without cutting pay, and most report higher output and happier staff.
- Firms like Buffer, Awin, Bolt, and Kickstarter have kept the model.
- Most see better focus, less stress, and lower turnover.
- The main trade-off is careful planning for client cover.
List of companies with a four-day work week
As a business owner, a four-day work week might sound like a big shift. Yet it is now a smart move used by many top companies worldwide. In fact, many firms treat it as one form of flexible work.
This article explores the ten companies with four-day work week and why you may want to join them.
Positive effects for companies with four-day work week
Research by the University of Cambridge shows a shorter week can boost well-being while keeping work quality high.
Overall, this setup helps in these ways:
- The model rewards focus. Staff on a shorter week tend to sort tasks better.
- A longer weekend brings better work-life balance. So people get more time for family, rest, and personal plans.
- A four-day week can lower stress. As a result, mental health and job satisfaction often improve.
- Firms that adopt it often see less absenteeism and better retention. So it helps attract and keep top talent.
Many of these gains link back to steady workplace productivity and strong employee wellness programs.
Negative effects for companies with four day work week
The idea sounds great. Still, there are a few challenges to weigh:
- Client service may face gaps. Some roles need cover all week, which can be hard.
- Compressed schedules need fair workload sharing across the team.
- Customer expectations and daily needs must be managed with care. Otherwise, results can slip.
- Teams need clear, tight communication. A shorter week leaves less room for delays.
These points show that a four-day work week needs careful planning. Firms should also track employee turnover statistics to see if the change works.
10 companies with four-day work week
Below is the list of companies with four-day work week:
1. Buffer
Buffer moved to a four-day work week to lift focus and team well-being. The CEO, Joel Gascoigne, pushed for a trial. As a result, it raised output and well-being across the team.
So Buffer kept the shorter week and plans to continue it.
Benefits of the four-day week at Buffer included:
- Higher productivity
- Happiness among 91% of team members
- More flexibility for personal duties
- Sharper focus on cross-team work
2. Awin
The Awin Group has moved all staff to a flexible workweek after an 18-month trial.
Staff can work four full days and take one day off. Or they can work three full days and two half days. Either way, they still get full pay.
This flexible week brought clear gains, such as:
- Better work-life balance
- Higher productivity
- Better health and well-being
- Better work quality
- Lower stress levels
Awin’s gross profit grew about 13% a year from 2019 to 2022. Meanwhile, turnover and sick days fell.
3. DNSFilter
At DNSFilter, staff work 32 hours a week instead of 40. Two groups rotate and take turns off each Friday.
So the company keeps steady customer and incident cover. Meanwhile, staff enjoy regular three-day weekends.
The benefits of shorter hours for the company include:
- Higher productivity
- Lower stress
- Fewer sick days
- Faster work on complex tasks
- Better retention
- More engaged staff
Next, DNSFilter plans to finish the pilot and review all metrics. In this way, it can check that the model meets its goals.
4. GooseChase
GooseChase introduced Flock Fridays. It is the company’s own take on the four-day week.
The goal was to keep or lift output while cutting hours. As a result, most staff felt their productivity held steady or rose.
Still, the shift brought some challenges:
- Harder work in customer-facing roles
- A need for better time management and focus
However, the change helped output and goals. In the end, staff felt fresh, relaxed, and full of energy after the weekend.
5. Kickstarter
Kickstarter is a public benefit corporation. So it took a fresh approach to the four-day work week.
After its pilot, the firm chose to keep the model and checked the results. Staff said the shorter week let them live fuller lives. As a result, they returned to work feeling fresh.
The extra day off gave staff time for personal projects. In turn, that led to higher output and smarter work.
6. Elephant Ventures
Elephant Ventures runs a Manila office. It is a fully remote testing and quality engineering firm.
The firm weighed the four-day work week and tested it in practice. Meanwhile, it saw that its Manila team, already on four days, had a clear lift in output.
So Elephant Ventures reviewed its setup and made changes to raise output. For example, it started the day early for deep-work cycles when the brain works best.
The firm also stretched its evening hours a little. In addition, it set a focused lunch break for the whole team.
7. Bit.io
Bit.io staff work a regular eight-hour day from Monday to Thursday. So they get Friday through Sunday off.
The firm believes the old five-day week is based on dated norms. In its view, that model has little to do with real output.
So Bit.io ran the four-day week as a test. Two years on, the team is more productive on four days than on five.
As a result, staff have more time for family, creative work, and personal interests.
8. Bolt
In 2022, Bolt made a big move. It chose to keep a four-day work week for good after a strong three-month trial.
In staff surveys, 94% wanted the program to stay. Meanwhile, 86% said they used their time more wisely.
Communication was key to this shift. So Bolt’s first step was “offline days” every Friday. On these days, staff go offline, hold no meetings, and skip requests.
The company calendar now marks Friday as an offline day.
9. SOAX
SOAX is a fully remote company. It puts work-life balance and well-being first to lift output.
SOAX first used a “work from anywhere” model with flexible hours. So a four-day week with Fridays off felt like a natural next step. This built on the wider benefits of remote work.
The firm believes an extra rest day sparks more creative work. In the end, its six-month test aims to show if the schedule fits both the business and its staff.
10. Scoro
Scoro wants to make the four-day work week a common practice. So it shares its journey and insights on its website.
The firm aims to give staff an extra weekly day off with no pay cut. In addition, it stays open about the steps and goals behind the change.
Because of this, Scoro hopes to inspire others to follow. The plan also fits its core mission to make the best use of time.
Should you switch to a four-day work week?
The four-day work week looks like a promising shift.
It is not just about new schedules. Instead, it rethinks how we view productivity, balance, and well-being.
Many companies now back this change, and the results are strong. For example, they report higher output, happier staff, and better balance.
However, the switch needs careful planning. It also calls for a close look at the challenges.
So should you embrace the four-day work week as a business owner? It is a choice that needs study, care, and a clear read of your firm’s own needs.
Still, one thing is clear. The gains are worth exploring, and they can pave the way for a sharper, happier team.
Frequently asked questions
Do companies with a four-day work week cut pay?
Most do not. Firms like Awin and Scoro keep full pay while cutting hours. So staff work less for the same salary.
Does a four-day work week hurt productivity?
Usually not. Many firms report steady or higher output. In fact, sharper focus often makes up for the lost day.
What are the main challenges of a four-day work week?
Client cover and tight communication are the top ones. So firms need careful planning to keep service steady.
Is a four-day work week right for every business?
Not always. It depends on your roles, clients, and setup. So test it first and track the results before you commit.
Key takeaways
- Many top companies now run a four-day work week with full pay.
- Most report higher output, less stress, and better retention.
- The main risks are client cover gaps and weak communication.
- Test the model and track results before you roll it out.
Independent
