4 Day Week Around the World
Although no country has officially adopted a 4-day work week nationwide, many are leading the charge through government-backed pilots, progressive legislation, and growing employer adoption.
Explore by region
Click a highlighted country to learn about their 4-day work week initiatives
Europe
18 countries
Austria
No government 4-day week policy, but Austrian labour law permits compressed 4x10-hour schedules through employer-employee agreements.
Belgium
The Labour Deal Act (2022) gives employees the legal right to request a compressed 4-day week. Employers must justify any refusal in writing.
Denmark
No national 4-day week policy, though Denmark already averages a 33-hour work week. Several municipalities including Copenhagen have trialed compressed schedules.
Finland
Former PM Sanna Marin suggested a 4-day week or 6-hour workday in 2019, but no legislation was ever introduced. The current Orpo government has not pursued reduced working hours. Finland's 2020 Working Time Act instead focuses on flexible scheduling rights.
France
Has a statutory 35-hour work week since 2000. No specific 4-day week legislation, but a 50-company private-sector pilot ran in 2025 with government awareness.
Germany
The coalition government is reforming working time laws for flexibility, but Chancellor Merz has explicitly opposed a 4-day week. IG Metall secured a conditional 32-hour option.
Iceland
Government trials (2015–2019) covering 2,500+ workers led to collective bargaining agreements giving ~86% of the workforce access to reduced hours.
Ireland
No government-backed pilot or legislation. The government has commissioned research, and Forsa (largest public sector union) is campaigning for a trial.
Lithuania
In 2022, Lithuania passed a law granting public-sector employees with children under 3 the right to work 32 hours per week (4-day week) at full pay. Proposed by Speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, the measure aims to improve work-life balance and address gender inequality in the workforce.
Netherlands
The Flexible Working Act gives employees the right to request reduced hours, and employers need a substantial reason to refuse. Workers already average 32 hours/week.
Norway
No government 4-day week policy. Norway already averages ~34 hours/week. A first private-sector pilot launched in late 2024 via 4 Day Week Global.
Poland
Poland's Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy launched the 'Reduced Working Hours' pilot programme in January 2026, with 90 employers and over 5,000 employees participating. The PLN 50 million programme tests 4-day weeks, shorter days, and extended leave, with results due by May 2027 to inform potential Labour Code amendments.
Portugal
Ran a government-backed 4-day week pilot (2023) across 41 companies with strong results — 95% rated it positively and only 4 returned to 5 days.
Scotland
Ran a government-funded public sector pilot (2023–2025) with strong results — mental health sick days fell 26% — but declined to extend it to the wider public sector.
Spain
The government approved a bill to cut the work week from 40 to 37.5 hours, but Congress rejected it in Sept 2025 (178–170). A revised bill is being negotiated.
Sweden
No national government policy. Gothenburg's 2015 six-hour day trial showed productivity gains but ended over costs. A formal pilot launched in 2024 via PaceLab.
Switzerland
Federal government has not adopted a 4-day week. However, Basel-City approved a state-funded 3-year pilot in 2025 for SMEs, and a national research pilot is underway.
UK
The Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthened flexible working rights but did not include a 4-day week. A backbench Labour amendment for a "Working Time Council" was not adopted.
North America
2 countries
Canada
No federal or provincial 4-day week legislation. Ontario's Bill 55 stalled after first reading in 2022. All adoption is private-sector led.
USA
No federal legislation passed. Rep. Takano's 32-Hour Workweek Act remains stalled in committee. Bills proposed in 12+ states but none enacted.
Asia
4 countries
Japan
Tokyo implemented a 4-day work week for ~160,000 government employees in April 2025. Multiple prefectures including Osaka, Chiba, and Kanagawa have followed.
Philippines
President Marcos signed Memorandum Circular 114 in March 2026, implementing a temporary 4-day compressed work week across government agencies to conserve energy. The order covers all national government agencies, GOCCs, and LGUs, with essential services exempt. Senate leaders have urged private sector adoption.
South Korea
The Reduced Working Hours Support Act was submitted to the National Assembly in late 2025, proposing subsidies for companies adopting shorter hours. President Lee Jae-myung has made the 4.5-day workweek a flagship policy, with government funding for pilot programmes across multiple provinces.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE adopted a 4.5-day federal work week in Jan 2022. Sharjah has a full 4-day week, and Dubai ran a successful 4-day summer program in 2025.
Oceania
2 countries
Australia
The ACT government announced a public sector 4-day week trial, and a federal Senate Committee recommended trialing it in the Australian Public Service.
New Zealand
Both major parties say no law change is needed. All activity is private-sector driven, notably Unilever NZ's successful pilot which became permanent.
South America
2 countries
Brazil
The Senate Justice Committee approved a constitutional amendment (Dec 2025) to reduce the work week from 44 to 36 hours by 2030, backed by the Lula government.
Chile
Chile passed the 40-Hour Work Law in April 2023, gradually reducing maximum weekly hours from 45 to 40 over five years. Phase 1 (44 hours) took effect April 2024, Phase 2 (42 hours) in April 2026. Over 421 companies have been certified under the voluntary Sello 40 Horas programme.
