Some more open than others
Pilot project four-day week struggles with problems
01.07.2024, 07:20 a.m.
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100 percent performance in 80 percent of the time for 100 percent pay: This formula is intended to ensure greater satisfaction among employees. The four-day week pilot project could also provide a boost in other areas – but it is struggling with some problems.
Many companies are finding it more difficult to introduce a four-day week than they initially thought. This is the initial conclusion reached by the four-day week project, which has been running since February and in which 45 organizations in Germany are testing the model for six months. According to the interim report on the project, around 40 percent of companies needed longer to prepare and were only able to start in March or even later.
“You think it’s mainly about the work process and the way you work, but it’s also about how you lead the team in this process of change. Some employees are more open to it than others,” said Carsten Meier from the management consultancy Intraprenör. Intraprenör initiated the project for Germany. The German edition is being scientifically supported by the University of Münster.
The original concept for the project was 100-80-100: 100 percent performance in 80 percent of the time for 100 percent pay. However, according to the interim report, almost half (48 percent) of the organizations have only reduced working hours by a maximum of 10 percent. “A relatively large number of companies are using the condensed four-day week with reduced working hours,” said Meier. On four days, employees work a little more than before, and the fifth day is free. 38 percent of the companies reduced working hours by exactly 20 percent.
Boost in digitalization?
Intraprenör is working on the project with the organization 4 Day Week Global. The NGO has already brought the project in a similar form to various other countries. In Great Britain, many of the companies subsequently showed great interest. Because the companies were able to volunteer for the project, the results from both Great Britain and Germany are not representative of the working world.
According to Intraprenör, more than half of the participating companies have between 10 and 49 employees. The most strongly represented industry is “consulting and agency services” (13 percent).
The interim report for the German project suggests that the change in working hours could give a boost to digitization. “It’s also about the motto ‘finally implement it’. We’ve heard from companies that they have now introduced digital solutions that they have long planned in order to adapt their processes for the project,” said Meier.
AI surprisingly a topic
The initiators were surprised that digitization and the use of AI were often mentioned when asked about strategies. “We are a medium-sized company, which is often accused of being too slow on such issues. But perhaps a fear-provoking topic like AI, which many employees are also worried about, can be recharged,” said Meier.
In addition, some of the participating companies “received significantly more applications – with the same quality.” “It was also reported that in many cases the employees were more willing to take on more responsibility and bring in new ideas,” said Meier. However, two participating organizations also dropped out of the project after two months. “But that probably had less to do with the four-day week than with the overall economic situation, which they wanted to focus on,” said Meier.
The project will continue into the summer. The first results are scheduled to be published at the end of October.