The Microsoft-affiliated company Microsoft Japan introduced a 4-day workweek, after which employee productivity increased by 40%.

Microsoft conducted the experiment in August 2019. For three weeks in a row, the company’s employees rested on Friday. Under this regime, sales per employee increased by 40% compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, the company recommended that its employees limit the length of business meetings, instead of chatting. As a result, the company’s energy costs were reduced by 23% and document printing volumes decreased by 59%.

92% of employees surveyed are satisfied with the transition to a 4-week working week. But some employees believe that such a transition is detrimental to customers.