The four-day week put to the test – the German pilot

The German pilot project on the four-day week was part of a research project in which 45 companies from a range of industries tested the effects of this working time model. The idea behind it: reduce working hours at full pay. The model had already been trialled in the United States, Australia, Iceland and the United Kingdom.

Who is behind the project

The consultancy Intraprenör coordinated the project, supported by the 4 Day Week Global initiative and the University of Münster. The participating companies were predominantly smaller businesses – more than half employed between 10 and 49 people – from various industries, among them IT and tech companies as well as trade businesses.

How the test ran

According to the F.A.Z., 15 per cent of the companies switched to the four-day week as early as January 2024, 65 per cent started in February and the remaining 20 per cent on 1 March. The project phase ran until August 2024; a scientific evaluation of the effects of this reduction in working time was planned to follow.

What that means for smaller companies

Whether a four-day week holds up in your own company depends less on the calendar than on the processes behind it: working time models, cover arrangements and payroll accounting have to reflect the change cleanly. If you are planning to change your working time models and need support with payroll, talk to us.