The 4 Day Week Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *The 4 Day Week* by Andrew Barnes about?

*The 4 Day Week* advocates for a flexible work model where employees work 80% of traditional hours for 100% pay while maintaining productivity. Andrew Barnes details his 2018 Perpetual Guardian trial in New Zealand, which showed improved employee well-being, focus, and retention. The book provides a blueprint for businesses to adopt this model, addressing economic inequities and environmental sustainability.

Q: What is the 100-80-100 principle in *The 4 Day Week*?

This core framework proposes employees receive **100% pay** for **80% time** if they deliver **100% productivity**. Barnes developed it after realizing a four-day week required just 40 extra minutes of daily focused work to offset reduced hours. The principle challenges traditional hourly metrics.

Q: What are the main benefits of a four-day workweek according to the book?

- **Productivity:** Fewer distractions and sharper focus during shorter hours. - **Well-being:** Reduced stress and burnout from extended recovery time. - **Sustainability:** Lower carbon emissions from commuting and office use. - **Equity:** Potential to close gender pay gaps by redefining performance metrics.

Q: How does *The 4 Day Week* suggest implementing a shorter workweek?

Barnes outlines a 5-step process: 1. Audit current productivity metrics. 2. Redesign workflows to eliminate inefficiencies. 3. Pilot the model with clear KPIs. 4. Train managers to lead by outcomes, not hours. 5. Iterate based on employee feedback.

The 4 Day Week

Andrew Barnes with Stephanie Jones

Productivity

Business

Entrepreneurship

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Could a four-day workweek actually boost productivity? Andrew Barnes proved it with his groundbreaking experiment that halved absenteeism and reduced burnout by 60%. Now featured on Thinkers50 Radar, this revolutionary blueprint is reshaping work culture across 70+ countries.

What is The 4 Day Week by Andrew Barnes about?

The 4 Day Week advocates for a flexible work model where employees work 80% of traditional hours for 100% pay while maintaining productivity. Andrew Barnes details his 2018 Perpetual Guardian trial in New Zealand, which showed improved employee well-being, focus, and retention. The book provides a blueprint for businesses to adopt this model, addressing economic inequities and environmental sustainability.

Who should read The 4 Day Week?

Business leaders seeking sustainable productivity gains, HR professionals exploring workplace flexibility, and employees advocating for better work-life balance. The book is particularly relevant for industries prioritizing output over hours logged, with actionable steps for implementation.

Is The 4 Day Week worth reading?

Yes. Barnes combines data-driven insights (e.g., a 20% productivity boost in trials) with practical advice, though some critics note repetitive sections. It’s a critical resource for rethinking modern work structures, especially post-pandemic.

What is the 100-80-100 principle in The 4 Day Week?

This core framework proposes employees receive 100% pay for 80% time if they deliver 100% productivity. Barnes developed it after realizing a four-day week required just 40 extra minutes of daily focused work to offset reduced hours. The principle challenges traditional hourly metrics.

How did the Perpetual Guardian trial validate the four-day week?

Barnes’ company trial (2018) showed a 20% rise in productivity, 24% better work-life balance, and 27% reduced burnout. Employees used their extra day for errands, hobbies, and family, returning refreshed and more engaged. The study, validated by Auckland University, became a global benchmark.

What are the main benefits of a four-day workweek according to the book?

Productivity: Fewer distractions and sharper focus during shorter hours.
Well-being: Reduced stress and burnout from extended recovery time.
Sustainability: Lower carbon emissions from commuting and office use.
Equity: Potential to close gender pay gaps by redefining performance metrics.

How does The 4 Day Week suggest implementing a shorter workweek?

Barnes outlines a 5-step process:

Audit current productivity metrics.
Redesign workflows to eliminate inefficiencies.
Pilot the model with clear KPIs.
Train managers to lead by outcomes, not hours.
Iterate based on employee feedback.

What criticisms does The 4 Day Week address?

Critics argue the model may not scale for client-facing roles or manufacturing. Barnes counters that flexibility (e.g., staggered shifts) and technology (automation tools) can adapt it to most sectors. He also acknowledges legislative hurdles like overtime laws.

How does The 4 Day Week compare to Juliet Schor’s Four Days a Week?

While both advocate shorter workweeks, Barnes focuses on business-led implementation via case studies and productivity frameworks. Schor emphasizes policy changes and systemic shifts to address burnout and climate change. The books are complementary.

What key quotes define The 4 Day Week?

“The five-day week is a 20th-century anachronism.”
“Output, not hours, is the metric of the future.”

These lines underscore Barnes’ argument that inflexible schedules hinder progress.

Why is The 4 Day Week relevant in 2025?

With AI and hybrid work reshaping jobs, Barnes’ model offers a template to address rising automation and employee demands for flexibility. Post-pandemic, 63% of firms now pilot similar programs, making the book a timely guide.

How does The 4 Day Week link work reform to sustainability?

Fewer commutes and office energy use cut carbon footprints. Barnes cites trials showing a 10-15% drop in emissions. The book positions work-hour reduction as part of broader climate strategies.

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Key takeaways

Introduction: A Chance Discovery

00:00

As I boarded a flight from New Zealand to London, little did I know that an article in The Economist would change the course of my career and potentially reshape the future of work. The piece revealed a startling statistic: office workers in the UK and Canada were productive for only 2.5 hours in a typical eight-hour workday. This revelation set my mind racing. If this was true for my own company, Perpetual Guardian, how could we improve productivity and well-being simultaneously? The spark of an idea began to form. What if we could compress the work week into four days instead of five? Could we maintain 100% productivity while working 80% of the time, all while keeping 100% of the pay? This concept, which I later dubbed the 100-80-100 rule, became the foundation of a revolutionary approach to work.

Part 1: The Birth of the Four-Day Week Experiment

Part 2: The Science Behind Productivity

Part 3: Benefits Beyond Productivity

Part 4: Implementing the Four-Day Week

Part 5: Overcoming Challenges and Resistance

Part 6: A Vision for the Future

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The 4 Day Week isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Productivity. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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The 4 Day Week by Andrew Barnes with Stephanie Jones Summary

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