The Case for a Four Day Week

Not so long ago, people thought that a ten-hour, six-day week was normal; now, it’s the eight-hour, five-day week. Will that soon be history too?

In this book, three leading experts argue why it should be. They map out a pragmatic pathway to a shorter working week that safeguards earnings for the lower-paid and keeps the economy flourishing. They argue that this radical vision will give workers time to be better parents and carers, allow men and women to share paid and unpaid work more equally, and help to save jobs – and create new ones – in the post-pandemic era. Not only that, but it will combat stress and illness caused by overwork and help to protect the environment.

This is essential reading for anyone who has ever felt they could live and work a lot better if all weekends were three days long.

Anna Coote is Principal Fellow at the New Economics Foundation (NEF).
Aidan Harper is Researcher at the NEF.
Alfie Stirling is Director of Research and Chief Economist at the NEF.