Do We Work Too Much? How the Four-Day Work Week Could Change Everything

Finland’s former Prime Minister Sanna Marin once sparked a global conversation when she suggested a four-day work week. But can working less actually make us more productive?

In this episode of Me, Myself & AI, Casey B explores the truth behind the headlines — what Sanna Marin really proposed, the global results from shorter work week pilots, and what the data means for Canada and the U.S.

From Microsoft Japan’s 40 percent productivity boost to Iceland’s nationwide success and Canada’s own non-profit experiments, the evidence is mounting that less time at work can lead to better results, happier teams, and healthier lives.

Listen for the numbers, the nuance, and the future of work — and stay tuned to the end to hear where art meets analysis with Charita B music.

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🧾 Sources & References:

Sanna Marin’s Proposal (Finland)

• Reuters – Fact Check: Finland Not Adopting Four-Day Week Under Marin (2020).

• AFP – Fact Check: Finland’s PM Did Not Introduce Four-Day Work Week (2020).

Major Global Trials & Research

• Autonomy (2023). The UK Four Day Week Pilot Results: 61 Companies, 2,900 Workers — 92 % Kept the Schedule.

• Associated Press (2023). “UK Firms Stick With Four-Day Week as Revenue Rises, Burnout Falls.”

• Scientific American (2025). Coverage of Nature Human Behaviour cross-country study (141 companies in U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ).

• Investopedia (2025). “The Impact of Working a 4-Day Week.”

• Autonomy / Alda (2021). Iceland Trials: 35–36-Hour Week With Equal or Improved Productivity.

• Wired (2023). “Inside Iceland’s Shorter Week Revolution.”

• Microsoft Japan (2019). Work Life Choice Challenge: +40 % Productivity Reported.

North America (Canada & U.S.)

• 4 Day Week Global (2024). North America Pilot Report – 41 Organizations, 100 % Retention of Four-Day Schedule.

• 4 Day Week Global (2025). Long-Term Follow-Up – Burnout −69 %, Attrition −32 %, Revenue +15 %.

• Imagine Canada (2024). Internal pilot results: Well-Being +66 %, Sick Days −40 %, 94 % Retention.

• PRAXIS PR (Toronto). Canadian case study on client coverage and efficiency gains.

• American Psychological Association (2024). Work in America Survey – 22 % of U.S. Employers Offer Four-Day Option (up from 14 % in 2022).

• Kickstarter (2022). Official statement on permanent 32-hour week post-pilot.

• Bolt (2022). CEO Ryan Breslow statement and coverage in Built In & CNBC on maintained productivity and morale.

Policy Context

• U.S. Congress – Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act (House Bill by Rep. Takano).

• U.S. Senate – S. 3947 (Introduced by Sen. Sanders, 2023).

Compressed vs. Reduced Hours

• Brussels Times (2023). Belgium’s Four-Day Law Sees Less Than 1 % Take-Up.

• Acerta Survey (2024). Low Adoption of Compressed Hours Model in Belgium.

• Newsweek (2023). “Belgium’s 4-Day Workweek Falls Flat.”

Critiques & Limitations

• Washington University in St. Louis (2024). Expert Analysis: “Don’t Believe the Hype About Shorter Work Week Benefits.”

• OECD Productivity Data (2024) – Hours Worked vs. Output Per Hour Comparisons for Canada and OECD Peers.

Equity, Health & Well-Being Evidence

• Public Health Reviews (2024). Systematic Review Linking Reduced Hours to Improved Sleep and Mental Health.

International Pilots & Funding Models

• Government of Spain (2022). SME Subsidy Program for 32-Hour Week Transition Pilots.