Does Sweden have a 4 day work week?
Sweden’s has had its fair share of 4 day work week experiments and is gearing up for more!
Sweden’s first ever shorter work week experiment
Sweden is one of the first countries to ever have experimented with the 4 day work week. In 2015, the city of Gothenburg trialed a 4 day week. Publicly-funded bodies who took part in the trial, were supported through additional funding by their local government.
While the trial didn’t follow four eight-hour work days, it did use 4 Day Week Global’s usual approach of 100:80:100™ - 100% pay for 80% time for 100% output, but the days were changed to six-hour days as opposed to eight-hour days.
Results of Sweden’s pioneering 30-hour work week experiment
80 nurses and doctors in Gothenburg’s main hospital took part in the trial. Not one of them called in sick for two whole years. They also reported a significant increase in work-life balance, job satisfaction and mental and physical health.
A nursing home also took part in the 4 day week trial. Another nursing home continued with the eight hour days to act as a control in the experiment. The staff who worked the six hour days completed over 80% more patient activities than those who worked the eight hour days.
The trial occurred for two years and is the first example of any long-term 4 day work week trial. There were very positive results from this 4 day week trial in Sweden however it was stopped after a change in government occurred and they couldn’t validate the cost of running the trial any longer.
The 4 day week trial in Gothenburg was expensive - $120,000 extra on wages per month to make up for the hours not covered by staff working six hour days.
Who took part in Sweden’s previous 4 day work week trial
But those who weren’t the only types of organizations involved in Gothenburg’s 4 day work week trial. The Toyota manufacturer in the city there decided to instate its 4 day work week for their mechanics for ten years, with great success! Their productivity was higher and so was their actual output - and they worked 30 hours per week.
Is Sweden trialing another 4 day work week?
Now Sweden is gearing up for another 4 day work week trial. 4 Day Week Global has partnered with Sweden’s Anna-Carin Alderin, who is acting as Country Partner to trial a 4 day work week, not just in Gothenburg, but across the country.
The trial will be six months long and will commence in June 2024. It will happen alongside a host of other European Countries who are also trialing a 4 day work week as part of 4 Day Week Global’s European trial.
How can I contribute to the 4 day week movement?
So, how can we ensure the 4 day work week becomes routine over radical? We’re a non-profit organization looking to bring the 4 day week to as many people across the globe as possible. Our goal is to create a million years of new free time through 4 day week trials and transitions.
Would you like to sponsor us on this journey? Donate as little as $2 per month to become a part of this movement for a 4 Day World.
How can I improve my business with a 4 day week?
We offer support for businesses looking to make the shift to reduced-hour working in several ways:
1. Our Foundation Course
Our Foundation Course is designed for business leaders, consultants and entrepreneurs looking to understand how to implement a 4 day week in their organization, or to support the implementation of one in another organization.
We teach you through six video lecture modules, using the 100-80-100™ model.
2. Our Pilot Programs
We run 4 day week pilots using the 100-80-100™ principle across the globe. You can trial a 4 day week alongside other organizations in your geography. There are many pilots happening in various countries across the world.
Sign up here to register your interest in being a part of one of our pilots and we will let you know when the pilot in your country is kicking off! Alternatively, we have two global pilots happening in 2024, in March and September.
3. One-on-One Consulting
This is for larger organizations who want bespoke one-on-one support throughout the 4 day week planning and implementation process. We will provide you with world-leading experts in reducing working hours to help you on this journey.
