The Case for a Four Day Week

Not so long ago, people thought that a ten-hour, six-day week was normal; now, it’s the eight-hour, five-day week. Will that soon be history too?

In this book, three leading experts argue why it should be. They map out a pragmatic pathway to a shorter working week that safeguards earnings for the lower-paid and keeps the economy flourishing. They argue that this radical vision will give workers time to be better parents and carers, allow men and women to share paid and unpaid work more equally, and help to save jobs – and create new ones – in the post-pandemic era. Not only that, but it will combat stress and illness caused by overwork and help to protect the environment.

This is essential reading for anyone who has ever felt they could live and work a lot better if all weekends were three days long.

1 Introduction

Where did ‘normal’ come from?

Economic developments

Cultural developments

We can change what is ‘normal’

Notes

2 Why We Need a Shorter Working Week

Health and wellbeing

Distributions of work and time

Paid and unpaid labour

Gender relations

Transforming childcare

Co-producing public services

Taking control and enriching democracy

Safeguarding the environment

Notes

3 Some Challenges

Will a shorter working week mean that people can’t choose?

Is leisure more sustainable?

What about pay?

Is a shorter working week bad for the economy?

Rethinking the goals of the economy

Notes

4 Learning from Practical Experience

State-led interventions

Negotiated agreements at sector and workplace levels

Employers’ initiatives

Learning from practical experience

Notes

5 A Road Map for Transition

Preparing the ground

Supporting innovation

Strengthening and extending existing entitlements

Changing the climate of opinion

Embedding change and building momentum

Notes

In Conclusion

Index

“In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, now is the time to rethink how we live our lives and care for our planet. This book sets out, clearly and powerfully, a compelling agenda for change.”
Caroline Lucas, UK Green Party MP

“Timely and important. A punchy, persuasive analysis of how a shorter working week can boost our collective health and wealth. A must-read for anyone who wants real change at work.”
Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, UK Trades Union Congress

“A compelling argument for limiting working hours to the equivalent of a four day week, backed by a range of suggested policy initiatives. Particularly valuable is the demonstration of the beneficial effects of reduced hours on the morale and performance of employees, and the account of case studies in reduction from round the world.”
Roberet Skidelsky, British economic historian, member of UK House of Lords, biographer of John Maynard Keynes

“This is the go-to book for understanding why it is time to reject austerity and commit to true sharing – of work, income and planet.”
Juliet Schor, author of The Overworked American

“A strong case for the four-day week. The three leading experts map out a pragmatic pathway to a shorter working week that safeguards earnings for the lower-paid and keeps the economy flourishing... vital reading for anyone looking for a better work/life balance."
Glamour Magazine

“Pragmatic and sensible”
Social Europe

Anna Coote is Principal Fellow at the New Economics Foundation (NEF).
Aidan Harper is Researcher at the NEF.
Alfie Stirling is Director of Research and Chief Economist at the NEF.