Here's why a four-day week works for us

Embracing the four day week not only raises productivity but also vastly improves workers’ health and wellbeing, writes Jonathan deBurca Butler

Codema staff in the agency's offices in Temple Bar. Clockwise from left; Shannen Kealy, Valentyna Kuch-Denysenko, John O'Shea Maria Diaz, Neil O'Leary, Edel Giltenane, Claire Donoghue and Suzanne Fitzpatrick. Photograph Moya Nolan

In the run up to Christmas last year, media outlets across Ireland were abuzz with the news that a four-day working week experiment had been a “resounding success”.

Office parties from Dingle to Drogheda were full of chatter about this remarkable six-month trial and its amazing results. Increased productivity levels, gains in life satisfaction, a better work-life balance and improved sleep were just some of the positive outcomes.