
Can fewer workdays lead to greater productivity? At K5 Business, we decided to find out. It’s been an exciting 3 months since we launched our trial of the compressed 4-day workweek.
We’re an SAP consulting firm with staff located across South Africa and Mauritius, servicing clients around the world. We love being innovative and thinking out of the box – not just for the benefit of our clients, but for the talented staff who power our success. This trial was born from our drive to think outside the box, embrace change, and ensure our workplace is as forward-thinking as our services.
How It Started
The idea of a 4-day workweek isn’t new, but in our industry, where “time is money”, it always seemed financially implausible. That changed in July 2024 when a casual conversation between colleagues took a turn for the unexpected. Concern was expressed about the practicality of a 32-hour workweek, but our Sales Director, Debra Dunford, proposed an alternative: four 10-hour days, maintaining the standard 40-hour week while giving everyone an extra day off.
Suddenly, what seemed like an impossible dream became potentially feasible. Over the next two months, we conducted extensive research, brainstormed potential pitfalls, and engaged with both clients and staff to craft a framework for a trial program.
The Trial Framework
In summary these were the broad parameters of the trial:
- Standard Workweek: Five 8-hour days (e.g. 8am to 5pm including breaks)
- Compressed Workweek: Four 10-hour days (e.g. 7am to 6pm including breaks)
- Day Off: Either Monday or Friday, fixed once agreed upon.
- Flexibility: Any week with leave or holidays during the week reverted to a standard workweek.
- Voluntary Participation: Both staff and clients had to agree to participate, with the option to opt-out at any time without notice.
- Backups: Staff on a compressed week ensured seamless coverage for clients.
While there were additional policies for unplanned leave and other contingencies, the trial was designed to be simple, flexible, and client centric.
The Results Are In
At the end of the 3-month trial, we surveyed both clients and staff. the results were overwhelmingly positive, and for both staff and clients. Participants experienced better work-life balance, reduced stress, and improved wellbeing, with manageable work hours. Client satisfaction remained high, with the majority reporting consistent or improved service quality. Increased motivation, reduced burnout and increased loyalty among staff further highlight the benefits of the program. With 92% of clients open to continuing the 4-day workweek permanently, it’s clear that this innovative approach has the potential to enhance productivity and satisfaction across the board.
K5-Business-4-Day-Compressed-Workweek-Trial-InfographicLessons Learned
While the trial was very successful, it wasn’t without its challenges. Adapting to 10-hour workdays required adjustments, especially for those managing family commitments. Coordination across teams and clients also demanded careful planning. However, by encouraging open communication and remaining flexible, we successfully addressed these issues.
What’s Next?
Our trial reaffirmed that challenging the status quo can lead to extraordinary outcomes. By taking a calculated risk, we’ve uncovered a sustainable way to foster employee satisfaction and maintain client excellence.
We’re excited that the results have given us ample reason to continue the program on a permanent basis. While it might not work for all of our staff or clients, the program is an exciting offering that we’re pleased continue refining and learning from, while contributing to a healthy balance that people so desperately need.
As a company, we’re proud to lead the charge in rethinking the future of work. By putting our people first, we’re not just enhancing work-life balance – we’re paving the way for a more sustainable and dynamic workplace.