Complete success for the 4-day week in South Africa: 90% of companies want to keep it

Published: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 1:15 pm

South Africa Embraces the 4-Day Work Week: Success and a Unique Twist

South Africa has joined the growing global movement experimenting with the four-day work week, and the initial results are overwhelmingly positive. A trial involving 28 South African companies and one from Botswana, primarily in the IT, finance, and recruitment sectors, has shown remarkable success since its launch on March 1, 2023.

The core principle remains consistent: employees work four days a week, maintain their current workload, and receive the same salary. The South African trial, mirroring global trends, has yielded impressive results. Employees reported reduced stress and burnout, increased job satisfaction, and a better work-life balance. Companies, in turn, experienced maintained productivity and a decrease in staff turnover, retaining valuable expertise. A staggering 92% of participating companies plan to continue the four-day work week.

However, South Africa offers a unique perspective. Unlike other countries where Fridays are the preferred day off, only about a quarter of South African employees chose this option. This suggests a different cultural preference or work-life integration strategy compared to other regions.

This South African trial is part of a larger initiative by the non-profit organization "4 Day Week Global," which has facilitated similar successful tests in countries like Australia, Spain, Japan, the UK, and Iceland. Iceland, in particular, has seen the four-day work week become a reality for nearly 80% of its workforce following successful trials.

BNN's Perspective: The South African experience offers compelling evidence for the viability of the four-day work week. While the global trend is clear, the differing preferences for the day off highlight the importance of tailoring implementation to local cultural contexts. This flexibility is key to maximizing the benefits for both employees and employers.

Keywords: 4-day work week, South Africa, reduced working hours, employee well-being, productivity, job satisfaction, work-life balance, 4 Day Week Global, trial, companies, IT, finance, recruitment, burnout, stress, staff turnover, Iceland, global trend.

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