A four-day working week: IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer

The five-day working week has been standard in most industrialised countries for about a century, but a growing number of companies are experimenting with a four-day week without any reduction in pay. I agree that this change would benefit both workers and businesses in many sectors, although it may not suit every type of organisation.

For employees, the advantages are obvious. An extra day off gives people more time for family, exercise, study and rest, leading to a healthier work-life balance. This matters because long hours are a major cause of stress and burnout, which in turn contribute to depression and other health problems.

Employers can also gain. Research consistently shows that people are not productive for every hour they spend at work, and a shorter week encourages staff to focus on essential tasks and cut unnecessary meetings. In a large trial in the United Kingdom in 2022, most of the participating companies reported that productivity was maintained, and the great majority decided to continue the scheme. Firms also benefit from lower absenteeism and find it easier to recruit and keep talented staff, who value this flexibility highly.

Nevertheless, the model is harder to apply in some industries. Hospitals, shops and public transport must operate every day, and customers expect services to be available. In these sectors, a four-day week would require hiring additional staff or arranging complex rotas, which would increase costs. Similarly, in manufacturing, where output depends directly on the hours worked, a shorter week could mean lower production.

In conclusion, I believe a four-day week offers clear gains in wellbeing for employees and in productivity and staff loyalty for employers. While it cannot be applied in the same way everywhere, more organisations should trial it and adapt it to their own needs.