Experiment (?) with a 4-day workweek at Janus

• As a smaller company, we wanted to be an attractive place to work for our current and future employees.
• We really enjoy our work, but it’s also very demanding. We wanted to actively address the issue of “health” by allowing for longer recovery periods.
• We’re naturally curious and enjoy trying out new workplace concepts ourselves.

Here’s how we got started:

• We reduced the full-time weekly hours from 40 to 36 (with no change in salary).
• Everyone distributed their personal working hours over 4 days a week. If needed, they could also work flexibly on the 5th day (Friday) from home or at a client’s office.
• The goal was for everyone to generally have a 3-day “weekend.”

Our experiences:

• All colleagues worked with high motivation on their personal productivity to manage the shorter workweek. Small workshops and quick learning sessions helped us learn together.
• The extended weekend is highly appreciated by everyone and clearly allows for better rest.
• The number of overtime hours has not changed significantly compared to the 5-day workweek.
• Our business success this year is even slightly better than last year (which was already a very successful year for us). The numbers show that we have become more efficient.
• We have received many interesting applications and will continue to grow next year.

Some voices from the team:

"These have been months of personal growth for me, and it was great that everyone could try out in their own way how the shorter workweek can work well. I was particularly drawn to exploring the ‘MS 365 world.’ I actively pursued the question of how I could organize and categorize ideas, questions, and to-dos so that nothing gets lost. I probably wouldn’t have done that with such ambition without the 4-day week.“ Moritz Rittmeyer (10/2023)

”I get my work done, but the price is a real sprint on Thursday and a rough start on Monday with a full inbox and lots of to-dos. My colleagues are all more structured, so I prepare for and follow up on meetings with them much more consciously to make sure I’ve thought of everything. I notice faster when we veer off track in meetings—my efficiency lens is sharper. Sometimes I miss the smooth Friday.” Christina Duttiné (04/2023)

“What surprises me is that I really have to learn this new 4-day work rhythm from scratch. The longer workdays require a different approach to energy management in the evenings. I need to be more intentional about taking time to wind down and recharge. So far, I haven’t managed to do anything in the evenings on these days.” Rita Sassmann (02/2023)

Our recommendation for introducing the 4-day workweek:

• Discuss and clarify mutual expectations and framework conditions together! Adjust aspects of the model if necessary. A pilot phase is helpful!
• Create spaces for learning and sharing experiences where reflection can take place (How are we doing with the new model? What are the key takeaways?) and where practical, helpful tools and techniques can be shared.
• Be patient and allow for individuality! It takes a while for the new work rhythm to settle in. Peer feedback is also helpful, as everyone approaches the changed schedule a little differently.
• Despite everything, the introduction is easier and less time-consuming than you might think! At least for smaller companies.

And now?

The experiment is over, and we’re sticking with the 4-day workweek permanently!! We didn’t identify any risks or side effects. And in any case, we’re continuing to learn how to get better at the discipline of “getting things done.” Maybe the next experiment is already in the works…