- Research Project
Piloting a 4 day work week in Swiss corporations
Reducing working hours while maintaining the same salary - is that possible?
Factsheet
- Institute(s) Institute for New Work
- Research unit(s) New Forms of Work and Organisation
- Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Sustainable Development"
- Funding organisation BFH
- Duration (planned) 01.03.2024 - 31.12.2025
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Caroline Straub
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Project staff
Prof. Dr. Caroline Straub
Prof. Dr. Isabelle Zinn
Prof. Dr. Daniel Spurk - Partner Veit Hailperin Unternehmensberatung
- Keywords 4 day work week, working time reductions
Situation
In recent years, technological advances, changes in the labour market and in the attitudes and values of employees have triggered a debate among scientists and political decision-makers about the sustainability and desirability of the current full-time working model (36-40 hours per week in most countries). An alternative way of organising working hours is the 4-day week or a reduction in working hours (30-32 hours per week) without a reduction in pay. Scientific studies and country studies from Iceland, for example, indicate that a reduction in working hours can not only increase individual well-being, but also the labour productivity of employees. But under what conditions is this true?
Course of action
Scientific monitoring of pioneering companies in Switzerland in the implementation of working time reductions.
Survey and interview methodology.
Result
- Definition of success factors: How should working time reductions be implemented? Which supportive work interventions are helpful when reducing working hours?
- Analysing the effects: How does a reduction in working hours affect individuals, team and organisational levels and HR KPIs?
- Collecting empirical data on the feasibility of reducing working hours for different occupational groups in Swiss companies.
Looking ahead
Insights into the feasibility of work time reductions in Swiss corporations.
