Work ethic: Do you think a 4-day work week will bring efficiency?
I just read that Poland wants to launch a pilot project of a 4-day work week from January 2026 (although a 4-hour work week would sound better). đ
I want to ask if any of you in your company have tried this concept of a shorter work week, and how it has affected the results of your employees and the company?
In my country (Slovakia), most of the time we have 5 days a week (8 working hours), and home office is a privilege. I personally see it as a very expensive way of functioning at work, especially when unpaid travel is a waste of time and money. So I am pretty lucky to be remote because I can dedicate time to work instead of travelling and am more focused.
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In my opinion, this is complete nonsense. Donât get me wrong Iâll explain what I mean.
For an employee, it sounds really cool...
But letâs say there are four companies in your sector. Your company works four days a week. Your competitors work five days. Some work six. Some even seven.
Most likely, those working five or six days will produce more. The ones working seven days as well. Of course, you have to be careful not to burn out completely if you donât rest. But the point is that the one working only four days will fall behind. The market will push them down in the rankings. And in the long run, theyâll become an outsider who will have to work seven days just to recover their position. And even then, itâs not certain theyâll succeed.
Overall, Europe is heading in that direction. In China, they work like crazy. In the USA, they work like crazy. And Europe is losing ground, thinking it will progress by working even less.
Well, if the company know how to integrate automation and AI agents to optimize the workflow instead of doing everything manually, it can save a lot of time. This way, the company could choose to either cut a working day, or use that extra time to create something big.
@banglinhpham Well, but if the competitors also know how to integrate automation and AI agents, then what? Weâre all already using AI, and itâs no longer a âwowâ advantage.
@byalexai What truly matters in work is not the number of hours, but the quality.
With the right approach, work processes can be optimized to deliver much greater efficiency and productivity than extra working hours or even days.
This doesnât apply to all industries (e.g., retail or manufacturing), but for many fields, itâs absolutely true.
@byalexai I completely agree, I think six-hour working hours is a much better option.
@d_ferencha yep, probably better than just reducing a day
@byalexai I agree with you, and that's exactly why I think reducing working days is not enough.
The problem is much broader and deeper...it's consumerism.
This ideology has been working pretty well for businesses, but it's neither healthy nor sustainable in the long term: we're already witnessing its numerous damages in goods production and consumption.
If we let go of the idea that having more = happiness, we can build a healthier system for all of us where we don't feel forced to produce and consume a lot like we're doing now. At least, that's what I like to believe!
@pamela_arienti I completely agree, Pamela!
I think the problem is much, much deeper. And itâs really not so much about the hours or the work itself, but about the entire world we live in right now. It would require a complete transformation for reducing the number of working days to actually make sense.
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@byalexai I have heard about China's working policy 996, and that's one of the many reasons why they are so ahead (even more than the US), the thing is that the US is more business-oriented and entrepreneurial (in Europe, I still seek/lack this aspect). But I am pretty sure if the majority were to run a business in Europe, they would actually work more, not less.
@busmark_w_nika Thatâs true. My cousin is doing his masterâs degree in China, and he says they study all day long. Itâs really nothing like Europe. Theyâve been chasing goals their whole lives. Of course, living that kind of life isnât exactly fun. But if youâre aiming to be number one, thatâs the way to do it.
@busmark_w_nika @byalexai I'm pretty skeptical of the whole "hustle at all costs" mentality. Look, I get that in places like China the competition is insane and there's always someone ready to take your spot, so people feel like they have to go all-out just to survive. But honestly, I think we're pushing ourselves way harder than we're built for.
Like, our brains and bodies are still running on caveman hardware, but we're trying to keep up with smartphones and AI and 24/7 connectivity. Something's gotta give, right? I've seen too many people burn out completely trying to be number one, but for what?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we should all just coast. I'm ambitious too. But I'd rather build something sustainable than crash and burn in two years. Sometimes slowing down actually gets you further ahead in the long run.
@busmark_w_nika @lina_huchok I also think itâs really unpleasant to live like that. I wasnât raised that way. I need rest. I need other activities. I need my loved ones and time to spend with them. But in many cultures around the world, itâs completely different. Whether because of poverty or cultural reasons, itâs very different. And I donât know whatâs best. It changes depending on the culture, the countryâs policies, the civilization, the access to the internet, and so on.
And I couldnât predict what it will be like in the future. But I definitely wouldnât like to work 24/7.
@busmark_w_nika I wouldn't over-index on the working hours/numbers, it is more about intent. Is work Monday to Friday between fixed hours or are you willing to go beyond. You cannot do it forever, so how do you balance it?
I feel many start-upers fetishize long hours for the sake of it. Also, what is considered "work"? Is behind the desk time work? What about dinner with a prospect?
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@ss_df That's why I think that flexible working hours are the best option. I do not like the idea of sitting at the desk 9 â 5 when I need to have a call with someone at 10 PM due to time zone differences.
Such an interesting topic! Thanks @busmark_w_nika
Iâve seen it work firsthand, my husbandâs team uses two-week sprint goals, and if theyâre on track, they get to switch to a 4-day schedule for the next week. They almost always make it, and It's a huge motivator, they always come back more rested and focused.
The data backing it up is getting really strong. The huge UK trial found that productivity held steady while staff turnover fell by 57%. And that's not to mention the classic Microsoft Japan case where they saw a 40% productivity jump.
Curious do you think companies across Europe would actually adopt it anytime soon, or will it stay more of a âforward-thinking experimentâ?
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@lina_huchok TBH, I do not work myself so much, and I can complete all tasks in advance in a short period of time. Most of the time at work is used just for "sitting there and socialising while smoking". Not very productive, right?
@busmark_w_nika totally get what you mean, so much of a âfullâ workday can be just filling the clock. A shorter day that openly makes space for breaks and social time can actually boost focus and morale. The trick is making sure itâs not just less time working, but more time working effectively.
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@lina_huchok Trust me, I am trying to work less with as much outcome as possible but when I earn some time, I use it for another project :D it is a kind of mentality.
@busmark_w_nikaThank you for sharing your experience and approach. I totally get it, for you, free time just naturally turns into fuel for the next project.
@busmark_w_nika @lina_huchokÂ
Love that sprint-based approach. It feels like a great balance between accountability and flexibility. The UK trial results are hard to ignore, and the Microsoft Japan case is a powerful proof point. Adoption in Europe might depend less on productivity data (which is already compelling) and more on cultural/workplace norms. Some industries will move faster, but I think the âforward-thinking experimentâ phase wonât last long if more companies see it as a talent retention advantage.
I have been doing a 4-day work week for the past year now (UK) and I love it, it gives me much more time for me and I am more refreshed for Monday morning. I think we should all start earlier too, 8am is a good time to start and finishing by 4pm gives more headspace to be productive during the day, by late afternoon my head is exhausted especially in hotter months.
@robert_nelson8Â that sounds cool! Is your company planning to keep a 4-day work week permanently, or have there been maybe any concerns on their side about possible inefficiency/profit loss or something along those lines?
It's definitely great for employees (I'd love that shift for myself đ), but is it beneficial for companies as well, or have they found ways to benefit from this too?
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@robert_nelson8Â I like this. I was in Germany, and we started working at 10 am, ended at 6 or 7 pm. That kills your whole day.
I think itâs better to reduce working hours, not the workweek. esp in startups. As makers, we all want to contribute more to our projects and often get into a flow, losing track of time. and may end up dedicating not just 8, but even 10-13 h a day to our work.
I think that reducing work hours and paying more attention to your own work-life balance, being respectful to the free time of your team will bring more value than simply having one extra day off
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@asia_sparks IMO it is better to have a flex schedule :)
Datastripes
4-day work week sounds cool, but the real revolution isnât just cutting days; itâs changing how we work. In many parts of our beautiful Europe, productivityâs been flat for years. Dropping days wonât fix broken workflows or endless busywork. The move is smashing inefficiencies with smarter tech that helps you work better, not just less.
Remoteâs a start, but it has to be smart working, literally.
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@vincenzo_manto from which country are you, if you do not mind? đ
Datastripes
@busmark_w_nika Iâm Italian but living in Germany, and I see some productivity issues in both countries. Iâd never trade Europe for another continent, but I believe we need to boost productivity as much as possible. I donât like criticizing entire nations, so my point isnât to dismiss our strengths, but, in my view, things like German bureaucracy or Italian chaos are what hold us back from being truly at the top of the competition. I canât speak for other European countries, as I donât know them well enough, but in the ones I know closely, the pattern seems clear.
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@vincenzo_manto I have been in Munich, so I know about the work in Germany, but explain the Italian chaos :D
Datastripes
@busmark_w_nika Italians, generally, work a lot, but often inefficiently. Thereâs a lot of talking, hierarchies get messy because theyâre interpreted almost like matrix structures, thereâs plenty of insubordination, and little team spirit. Everyone kind of does their own thing, with little sense of the bigger picture. Generally, the italian workday runs from 8-9 to 18, so lots of hours, but the actual impact⌠honestly, not that proportional.
Last but not least, we do tons of holidays :D
Address burnout, I just have this schedule for my rotational 3 EAs for better assistance in controlling the operations updates from various department leaders. What's new we can do to grow in different industries based on the field and remotely, along with preparing and presenting at periodic meetings where different analyses and programs can be discussed from all venture employees.
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@ajay27324Â Let us know the results after testing :)
@busmark_w_nika I have been granted this schedule for 10 months now, the resultant factors i just came across the truthfulness towards availability but it comes with some restrictions with Timestamp application to track real time location if by chance i think the employee is still not interested in work and in remaining 4 days taking unnecessary unplanned leave without intimation, the reason why i closed 1 hiring from 4 to 3 EAs for now due to my frequent travels & meetings i have decentralized controls to them as i said earlier. That 1 Fire kept the rest of three in motion towards commitment full time and even during emergencies if me or any other prospect is not available to perform the task.
IXORD
According to the articles it really works, but not all implement this structure in all countries. Probably in the future it will be 3-4 days of work.
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@ixord IMO, the most successful will be those who work flexibly every day (in chosen hours) + using AI. :D
IXORD
@busmark_w_nika Haha that's true but there are jobs where it's better not to use AI but in general yes I've seen videos where phenomena that on the contrary want workers to use AI to ensure productivity
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@ixord Which videos do you mean? Do you have a link?
IXORD
@busmark_w_nika Sorry, I don't save links, I'm subscribed to YouTube channels that talk about self-development and I heard one of them mention this part.
I sort of have a 4-day week by default⌠except itâs usually because Iâm cramming work into MondayâThursday and then spending Friday doing admin or chasing invoices. Would love to see how companies handle the fact that not all industries can make the switch.
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@santosh__kumar9 sort of work â that's true. We talk here especially about administrative work. People in public services have to work during weekends and night shifts as well.
Interesting topic.
Is this being piloted across all industries or just a few verticals?
I believe a 5Ă8 schedule is a good balance.
Before running my own startup, I managed support and delivery teams, where I focused on quality and effectiveness. I encouraged the team to leave once their work was done instead of just occupying a seat and it made them work smarter.
However, with my current startup still in its initial stage, thereâs too much on everyoneâs plate for me to offer that same flexibility right now.
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@rameshkumar_astravue I think that this is applicable only for administrative (desk) jobs. E.g. people in services, travel industry, etc. cannot apply it.
BUT when you are the CEO, you work like 24/7 :D I call it 27/9 because time is relative :D
@busmark_w_nika Agreed. It works for desk jobs. For other industry, would love to see what is their take on this.
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@rameshkumar_astravue For example, in hospitals... they must work otherwise, people would die. đ
@busmark_w_nika i know. What i meant was the 4 day work. Definitely not what I followed.
Iâm based in Poland, and I know some companies here already started testing the 4-day work week in spring 2025.
I have a feeling weâll eventually move toward shorter working hours, especially with productivity gains from AI and related technologies. I have mixed feelings about it, but Iâm eager to see the results - and Iâd like to believe it could bring positive effects: more rest, higher efficiency, and better work-life balance..
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@hanna_strashynskaya Do you see any positive/negative outcomes when it comes to results in projects?