Could a four-day work week become the new norm? episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 25, 2025 · 13 MIN

Could a four-day work week become the new norm?

from What in the World · host BBC World Service

A study published earlier this year showed that cutting the working week to four days instead of five significantly improved people's wellbeing. So why hasn’t it become the norm yet? We’re joined by Sofia Bettiza, the BBC’s Global Health reporter, who breaks down all the data we have about the four-day work week, and tells us how reliable it is. Plus we hear about how work culture differs across countries like South Africa and Japan.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Harriet Oliver

A study published earlier this year showed that cutting the working week to four days instead of five significantly improved people's wellbeing. So why hasn’t it become the norm yet? We’re joined by Sofia Bettiza, the BBC’s Global Health reporter, who breaks down all the data we have about the four-day work week, and tells us how reliable it is. Plus we hear about how work culture differs across countries like South Africa and Japan.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden Editor: Harriet Oliver

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Could a four-day work week become the new norm?

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This episode was published on September 25, 2025.

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A study published earlier this year showed that cutting the working week to four days instead of five significantly improved people's wellbeing. So why hasn’t it become the norm yet? We’re joined by Sofia Bettiza, the BBC’s Global Health reporter,...

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