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In a study conducted by South Cambridgeshire District Council in southeast England, a 15-month trial of the four-day work week has garnered widespread support for its positive impacts on worker health and engagement.

Collaborating with researchers from Cambridge and Salford Universities, the trial involved 697 employees.

Researchers evaluated the trial across 24 different metrics to gauge its success. Nearly all categories showed notable improvements attributed to the shorter work week.

During the period from January 2023 to March 2024, staff turnover decreased by 39%, while the number of applications for open positions saw a substantial 53% increase. Employee commitment, motivation, and both mental and physical health also showed significant enhancements, as per Fortune.

Financially, the trial proved advantageous for the council, saving over $475,000 throughout its duration. More importantly, workers reported higher levels of engagement and satisfaction with their jobs.

According to the report, "Some managers have found that the process of designing and delivering a four-day week trial has acted as a catalyst for further creativity, transformation, and innovation. Colleagues have improved the efficiency of working practices within teams, used communication tools differently, and as colleagues have ownership of the trial, they have reported feeling valued and finding increased confidence."

Meanwhile, contrasting England's positive reception, Greece has recently implemented a 48-hour work week rule for certain industries, excluding sectors such as food service and tourism. This change, aimed at addressing productivity issues and workforce shortages, has faced mixed reactions among workers.

The new labor laws, approved in September, respond to concerns about excessive working hours and uncompensated overtime, exacerbated by a shrinking population of skilled workers.