‘Dominant narrative’ of 5-day work week must be challenged

As more conversations around workplace flexibility increase, the four-day work week continues to be mentioned as a key inclusion for the future of work.

Dr Tiffany De Sousa Machado, wellbeing expert and associate head of people and culture at the University of Adelaide Business School, along with many others in the workplace space, have been advocating for a four-day work week, touching on its benefits for mental health, productivity, and quality of life – and thus challenging the dominant traditional five-day model.

According to De Sousa Machado, the traditional model is no longer fit for purpose as burnout, anxiety, and disconnection continue to rise.

“I meet professionals every day who are high-functioning but inwardly fractured – exhausted from proving their worth through productivity, disconnected from joy, and constantly running on empty,” said De Sousa Machado.

“There have been seasons in my own life where I was doing everything ‘right’ on paper – delivering, performing, showing up. But inside, I was worn out and missing the quiet, soul-nourishing parts of life that help us truly thrive.”

De Sousa Machado referred to recent studies, which linked working more than 55 hours a week to significantly higher risks of depression and anxiety. On the other hand, four-day work week trials resulted in reductions in burnout and stress, improvements in sleep, mental health, and relationships, and maintained or improved productivity in most workplaces.

“A four-day working week is not just a policy tweak – it’s a reimagining of what we value: sustainability over speed, depth over hustle, and human connection over performance metrics,” she said.

“We need to challenge the dominant narrative that equates worth with work. Australia has an opportunity to lead not just economically, but ethically – by designing systems that promote wellbeing, resilience, and meaningful productivity.”

As previously reported by HR Leader, Sabrina Scherm, customer success manager at HiBob, also touched on the importance of organisations integrating a four-day work week and how it should not be added if it is going to take away from pre-existing flexible work policies.

“At a time when Australia is grappling with falling labour productivity, Boston University academics’ research provides compelling evidence that a four-day work week can be a powerful win-win, boosting both employee wellbeing and business output,” said Scherm.

“The future of work isn’t just about when we work; it’s about how we work – and how we deliver what’s needed of us. HiBob’s research shows that while 65 per cent of workers want a four-day week, only a third would sacrifice their flexible arrangements for it.

“This sentiment is even stronger among women, with just 23 per cent willing to trade hybrid work for a shorter week, compared to 41 per cent of men. Employees are rightly cautious about pitfalls like workload compression or losing the hard-won autonomy they now value so highly.”

Kace O'Neill

Kace O'Neill is a Graduate Journalist for HR Leader. Kace studied Media Communications and Maori studies at the University of Otago, he has a passion for sports and storytelling.