Trials of a four-day working week have attracted worldwide attention in recent years. In these experiments, employees work one day less each week but receive the same salary, while companies aim to maintain the same level of output. The results have often been surprising: productivity stayed the same or even improved in most organisations that took part. Workers reported lower stress, better sleep and more time for family and exercise. With fewer hours available, staff wasted less time in unnecessary meetings and focused more effectively on their tasks. Employers also noticed benefits, including fewer resignations and an increase in applications for new positions. Nevertheless, the model does not suit every industry: hospitals and transport services, for instance, must operate every day of the week. Organising shifts in such workplaces can be complicated and costly. Supporters argue that these problems can be solved with careful planning. Whatever the future holds, the experiments have encouraged businesses everywhere to think more creatively about how work is organised.
salary
Workers reported lower [blank1], better sleep and more time for [blank2] and exercise.
stress
family
According to the passage, how did staff use their working time differently during the trials?
staff wasted less time in unnecessary meetings and focused more effectively on their tasks
What is the main idea of the passage?
A four-day week reduced productivity in most companies that tried it.
Four-day week trials have benefited workers and companies, though not every industry can adopt the model easily.
Employees in the trials demanded higher salaries for working fewer days.
Hospitals were the first industry to introduce the four-day week.
Choose the best title for this passage:
How to Apply for a New Job
Working Less, Achieving More? The Four-Day Week on Trial
Why Meetings Waste Company Time
The History of the Weekend
According to the passage, which industries find the four-day model difficult to apply?
hospitals and transport services
