Here’s What Countries That Tried 4 Day Work Week Found

Last week, Opposition Leader Alex Borg proposed that Malta should pilot a four-day work week, starting with selected public sector departments.

But what does the research say?

Studies from around the world show that shorter working weeks can improve well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity in many settings.

A major study published in Nature Human Behaviour earlier this year examined 141 companies across six countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia.

Employees who moved to a four-day week over six months reported lower stress levels, reduced burnout, and improved mental health. Productivity remained stable, and over 90% of participating companies continued with the new schedule.

The UK’s 2022 trial, involving 61 companies and nearly 2,900 employees, recorded similar results. Around 71% of workers reported less burnout, while revenue stayed steady or increased. Staff turnover also fell sharply, and 92% of companies chose to maintain the four-day week.

Icelandic trials have likewise shown higher job satisfaction and unchanged or improved productivity, while pilots in Germany and Portugal confirmed improvements in work-life balance and employee well-being.

However, research also indicates that a four-day week may not suit all industries. A BBC report highlighted issues in customer-facing sectors, where compressed work schedules increased stress and required extra staffing to maintain operations.

Similarly, a British Business Bank survey noted that industries like hospitality, transport, and healthcare could face productivity losses, higher costs, and difficulties meeting service requirements.

Professor Abigail Marks of Newcastle University advises that six-hour workdays may be more effective than a four-day week in certain contexts, as reducing days without managing workload intensity can increase stress.

A four-day work week in Malta also requires taking into account how it would affect the small island nation’s labour market.

With a limited workforce, reducing public sector hours risks drawing talent away from private businesses, worsening shortages in key sectors like tourism, healthcare, and retail.

While employees might enjoy better work-life balance and reduced stress, careful planning is needed to avoid productivity losses and higher operational costs.

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