Challenges with a four-day workweek

A trial in Kerteminde Municipality, monitored by researchers a Center for Work Life Research at Roskilde University, has found that cutting the work week from five to four days is not exclusively advantageous. In this trial, workers still complete 37 hours of work within four days instead of reducing overall work hours, effectively compressing the work schedule. Janne Gleerup, a lecturer on work life and head of the research project, notes the benefit of having an extended weekend from Thursday afternoon to Monday morning. However, balancing work and family life from Monday to Thursday is challenging. Critical family times—morning routines and evening activities like picking up children and cooking—are further strained. Employees experience difficulties meeting childcare facility schedules and attending personal errands, such as transporting children to sports activities.