The four-day week experiment launched in Germany in February 2024 with the support of the 4 Day Week Global organisation and the Berlin agency Intraprenör ended with the presentation of a detailed report on 18 October in Düsseldorf by Julia Backmann, head of scientific monitoring and holder of the chair for the ‘transformation of the world of work’ at the University of Münster. The implementation of the four-day week was tested at 41 companies, using a ‘100-80-100’ model, whereby employees do 100% of their work, with working hours reduced to 80%, and are paid 100% of their salary.
As a Berlin correspondent for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business and labour market. My areas of interest include co-determination, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.