An investigative one project who tested the four-day workweek in 12 businesses, was deemed successful both from the companies and from the employees who took part.
The project, supported by the union Forsa and carried out in cooperation with Four-Day Week Ireland, UCD and Boston College, looked at the economic, social and environmental impact a four-day working week would have on businesses and workers in Ireland.
Nine of the 12 companies that participated in the six-month trials said they were committed to continuing with the four-day-a-week schedule. The other three companies said they also planned to continue, but did not commit to keeping it long-term.
Seven companies provided revenue data and of those, six reported monthly revenue growth, with one noting drop. Two companies that tracked energy use reported reductions.
In general, the companies' management are reported to be very satisfied with the outcome of the tests in terms of productivity and overall experience.
On a scale of 1 to 10, (very negative – very positive), the companies' average score for the tests was 9,2.