One of the major elements of social progress in the 20th century consisted in the reduction of work time. Reductions from 48 hours per week in the first half of the century were largely reduced to 40 hours per week or less in some industries with strong trade union representation. State regulations also pushed in this direction with positive implications for physical and mental health as well as wellbeing. Advances in longevity of employees may be attributable to this social progress agenda of the 20th century. In the 21st century we witness a new thrust of enterprises and employees striving to implement a 4 day work schedule by at the same time organizing a further reduction of work hours. The scientific evidence which is based on pre- and post trial assessments of workers satisfaction shows rather positive results (Fan, Schor, Kelly, Gu 2025). More studies are due to accompany this potential of further health and wellbeing effects of reduced work time and the reorganization of work time in enterprises.
