Most countries across the world have a system of working five days in a week. But there are few countries that have adopted a four-day work week schedule and have recorded a noticeable increase in productivity. UAE, Spain, Scotland Ireland, Newzealand and Japan are a few countries that have already adopted this policy.
According to a government study, the four-day work week system introduced in the UAE’s emirate of Sharjah has seen a rise of about 90 percent in job performance, happiness, and mental health, reported the local media house Al Arabiya.
The improvement in job satisfaction and job performance was 90 percent. While the happiness index among employees rose by 91 percent after implementing the new system, the study revealed.
The four-day work week policy also helped 84 percent employees to strike a work-life balance, while the percentage of people who enjoyed weekends more stood at 95 percent, reported Al Arabiya, citing the government study.
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This also gave the employees more time to take care of themselves, pursue their hobbies, education and work on their private commercial projects.
Other benefits were also observed after the policy was introduced in UAE. For instance, employees' productivity increased in 88 percent of government entities, while positive communication between employees rose to 81 percent. Attendance rate at offices improved to record 74 percent. Sick-leave rate also dropped to 45 percent, according to the study. The rate of increase in innovation and creativity was 76 percent.
The four-day work week policy was introduced in Sharjah on January 1, 2022, reported Al Arabiya. While making the announcement the UAE Government Media Office said that the new change was being implemented to improve work-life balance and productivity of employees.
Push for a four-day work week is also gaining support in more countries across the world.