A new report by Robert Walters reveals a surge in interest in the 4-day work week across Asia, with the majority of employees eager to embrace the shorter schedule and many businesses seeing it as a feasible option. However, despite growing support, widespread implementation of the 4-day work week is hindered by challenges such as productivity concerns, industry-specific demands, and operational costs, making it difficult for companies to adopt this work model at scale.

While 89% of professionals in Asia are keen to experiment with a shorter work week, and 66% of employers consider it plausible, only 25% of businesses have concrete plans to transition to or trial this model. This suggests a significant gap between intention and action.

One of the main concerns holding back employers is the potential for increased costs. 57% of businesses surveyed expressed concerns about incurring higher costs due to increased hiring or project delays. And 56% of employers worry about a negative customer experience if customers are unable to reach staff during reduced working hours.

Another challenge is the difficulty in implementing the 4-day work week across the entire office. 42% of businesses reported concerns about employee unhappiness if the change is not implemented uniformly.

Despite these challenges, both businesses and workers believe that a 4-day work week could have significant benefits. Both groups agree that it could boost productivity levels, although this is often seen as secondary to the perceived impact on employee well-being and work-life balance.

However, there are also concerns about the potential negative impact of a shorter work week. 68% of employees worry about increased stress as their workload remains the same, while 39% prefer to spread their workload across five days. While 36% of employees are concerned about the possibility of pay reduction.

The report also highlights the varying perspectives on the 4-day work week across different subregions in Asia. Each region has unique considerations and challenges to address.

The study is based on a Robert Walters survey of over 5,000 professionals and companies across 11 Asian markets.

Some believe a shorter workweek could boost productivity, improve work-life balance, and reduce stress. However, others are concerned about the economic impact, cultural resistance, and how feasible it would be to implement this change across different Asian countries.

As the conversation about the 4-day work week gains traction in Asia, a key challenge lies in bridging the gap between interest and practical implementation. Both sides need to engage in open discussions about worries related to workload, pay, and operational efficiency.

Interest in four-day workweek trials is growing rapidly, with early results surpassing expectations and challenging traditional work models. In a UK trial involving over 3,000 employees, 92% of companies decided to adopt the four-day workweek permanently.

These firms not only maintained their output but also saw an increase in staff motivation. Similar positive outcomes have emerged from trials in Iceland and New Zealand, suggesting that the advantages of a shorter workweek often outweigh the challenges.

In this column, Anthony Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Atlas, examines whether the four-day work week is worth pursuing, sharing insights on its potential benefits and challenges. You can read his analysis here. As a bonus, don’t miss another must-read column that poses the intriguing question: can we achieve more in less time? Check it out here.