A British study suggests that working only 4 days a week has real benefits for both the mind and the body.
The world of work is experiencing an upheaval with the establishment of 4-day paid week 5. Although it remains recent, it has mainly conquered large companies and is in the process of expanding. Recently, it was England that tested this working configuration. But why work only 4 days instead of 5?
First, companies offer this configuration to improve the well-being of their employees. Then she is acclaimed for increase productivity and organization within the company. But does this reduced working time have an influence on our health?
According to scientists at the University of Cambridge, it would be beneficial for both our mental health and our physical health. Their first feedback was recently published in a report and shared on EurekAlert.
A very conclusive first return
Given that the experiment in England remains recent, the researchers simply questioned the companies concerned. They asked the workers various questions concerning their level of professional fatigue, their state of stress, etc. The question of turnover was also raised.
However, the 4-day week would be largely beneficial according to the respondents. More than 71% of respondents confirmed feeling less work-related exhaustion. Moreover, the study specifies that the taking of sick leave has fallen by 65% since the introduction of this reduction in working time.
But the positive effects are not only physical. In effect, 39% of respondents say they are less stressed when they work only 4 days. The most surprising thing is that these effects were observed in barely 6 months of experimentation.
Investigate the health effects of the 4-day week in more detail in the coming months
In addition, the workers specify that this additional day of rest allows them both to be well rested but also to be more efficient the following week. Physically, the results speak for themselves.
Whatever the size of the company or the service offered, workers were in better physical shape. Sleep disturbances, fatigue and even anxiety levels have gone down for many workers.
However, this 4-day week is still experimental. Moreover, it is relatively new, both in England and in the rest of Europe. Additional studies will therefore have to be carried out to determine the real impact of this working method.
But it is possible that the 5-day week will disappear in favor of this configuration that is better for our health.
