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Flexibility is limited in most workplaces today. Employees are typically given a "points system" for lateness and absenteeism. In today's world, many families are headed by single parents. Childcare is costly, and many single-parent households are unable to cover the costs even working 40-hour weeks. Reducing the week and increasing flexibility can increase worker productivity and loyalty to employers.

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While the five-day, 40-hour workweek has been the typical work schedule since 1940, much has changed. America's jobs shifted from factories and production to more service-oriented and specialized careers requiring higher education. Family structure has changed; no longer are two-parent households the norm. Living costs have increased while wages have remained stagnant, causing further stress for individuals. Reducing the workweek by eight hours/one workday, if implemented correctly, will greatly reduce work-related stress/injury, burnout, turnover rates, and decrease healthcare costs. In addition, the four-day workweek will improve work-life balance, family outcomes, and overall happiness. It is no surprise then, that countries whose citizens work less hours are happier overall.

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(Society of Human Resource Management, August 2017

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While work and productivity is essential, working 40 hours per week plus overtime causes increased stress and physical and mental health issues. The treatment of conditions resulting from stress and burnout costs the U.S. economy more than reducing the workweek by eight hours.

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Source: The State of American Vacation 2017, Oxford Economics.

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As shown above, employees are working longer than 40-hour weeks, not taking vacation days, and taking more days off due to stress-related illness.

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America at Work, America at Leisure: Motion Pictures from 1894 to 1915. (n.d.). Library of Congress; Digital Collections.

Greenwald, R. A. (2002). The Burning Building at 23 Washington Place": The Triangle Fire, Workers and Reformers in Progressive Era New York. New York History, 83(1), 55–91.

Grossman, J. (1978). Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938: Maximum Struggle for a Minimum Wage. Monthly Labor Review.

Boone, G. (2015). Labor law highlights, 1915–2015. Monthly Labor Review.

Accountemps survey, 2017; Stanford University Graduate School of Business meta-analysis, 2015.

Schaufeli, W.B. (2017). Work engagement in Europe: Relations with national economy, governance, and culture

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Source: Workplace Options global study, 2015.

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Employee Assistance Program Calls Between 2012 and 2014 (Society of Human Resource Management, August 2017)

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Employee Assistance Program Calls Between 2012 and 2014 (Society of Human Resource Management, August 2017)

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Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are programs in which the employer pays for mental health services, including but limited to drug and alcohol treatment, behavioral health counseling, and stress management to treat disorders such as anxiety and depression.