The concept of a four-day workweek has gained increasing attention over the past few years, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health and the quality of work have been major drivers of this conversation, with many advocates such as students and 9-5 office workers, suggesting that a shorter workweek could improve both.

A four-day workweek can be implemented in various ways, but some of the most popular suggestions include having Wednesday as a day off or ending the week on Thursday, creating a long weekend from Thursday to Sunday. 

One prominent organization pushing for this change is WorkFour, a campaign focused on reducing the standard workweek from five days to four. This organization works closely with local businesses and researchers to gather data and provide evidence of the benefits of a shortened week. Their efforts, along with other similar organizations and foundations, have been crucial in raising awareness and creating momentum for this movement.

For students, the pressure of a heavy workload can lead to burnout, which has sparked interest in the four-day week for both high school students and office workers. Researchers argue that the traditional five-day schedule contributes to stress and a decline in productivity, particularly as the week progresses. Many people believe that a shorter workweek would alleviate end-of-week fatigue and increase overall efficiency.

Lorea Melander, a freshman, shared her thoughts on the matter: “I think a four-day week would be great. High schools often try to teach the social aspects of life along with academics, and I think a shorter workweek would help us [students] implement that more. I also think if the week were shorter, the days we do have school would be more efficient.”

The potential benefits of a four-day week extend beyond just reducing burnout. For students, it offers a longer weekend, allowing for more time to rest, reset, and prepare for the upcoming week. A shorter school week could also lead to a more balanced distribution of classwork and homework, as classes would occur the same number of times each week, regardless of the shortened schedule.

While the five-day workweek has been the standard for many decades, the increasing demands of both school and work have made it clear that adjustments are necessary. A four-day schedule could provide much-needed relief for students and employees alike, improving both mental health and productivity.