Notes on the future of work Issue 01 · 2026

№ 02 Field notes

28 November 2022 · Dispatch

How to transition your business
to a 4-day work week.

Four short steps, written for someone who has to explain the idea on Monday morning and has not yet decided what to say.

The traditional 5-day work week is gradually becoming a thing of the past. In its place is a more flexible work schedule that allows employees to have a better work-life balance. This is especially true for employees who have young children or other family responsibilities.

A 4-day work week may seem like a pipe dream, but it is actually achievable with proper planning and execution. Here are some tips on how to make the transition.

01. Communicate with your employees.

The first step is to have an open discussion with your employees about the possibility of transitioning to a 4-day work week. Gauge their opinion and see if they are on board with the idea. If not, you may need to consider other options.

02. Evaluate your business needs.

Start, plainly, by looking at what you actually do.

Next, you need to take a close look at your business needs and determine if a 4-day work week is feasible. Could certain tasks be put on hold during the transition? Would there be any negative impacts on customers or clients?

03. Adjust your operating hours.

Once you have decided that a 4-day work week is right for your business, you need to adjust your operating hours accordingly. This may mean closing earlier on Fridays or opening later on Mondays.

04. Implement the new schedule.

The final step is to implement the new schedule and make sure everyone is on board with the change. Remember that it will take some time for everyone to adjust, so be patient and give it some time before making any further changes.

By communicating, evaluating, adjusting, and implementing, you can make the transition without any major disruption.

Give it some time and, soon, you will be enjoying the benefits of a more flexible workweek.