The real reason a 4-day workweek makes people happier in their jobs—it's not just more free time

It’s not exactly surprising that workers support moving to a four-day workweek.

In the last five years, hundreds of companies have piloted a four-day, 32-hour workweek with no pay cuts to some 8,700 workers around the world. People experienced less burnout, stress and anxiety, and better mental and physical health. Employees rated their work-life balance higher, and even business profits grew.

There are two major factors for the boost in workers’ happiness, says Juliet Schor, an author, economist, sociologist and lead researcher of the 4 Day Week experiments.

One, of course, is that people have more time for their families, friends, sleep, hobbies, health and communities, Schor writes in her latest book, “Four Days a Week.”

The second factor, however, is that workers are happier even while they’re on the clock. Simply put: The four-day week makes people feel much more effective at work, and that makes them happier in general.