Could a Four-day work week become a typical practice in Ireland?

As our lives become busier than ever, the idea of working fewer hours while still maintaining productivity sounds like a dream come true. The four-day working week, which has been gaining traction in recent years, offers just that. With companies across the globe, including some in Ireland, testing out this concept, the question arises: Can the four-day working week become the norm in Ireland? In this article, we delve into the potential benefits and drawbacks of this revolutionary concept and explore whether it could become a reality in the Irish workforce.


Advocate of the four-day working week, Margaret Cox, believes that with courage from business leaders, implementing this system could become the norm in Ireland, benefitting both employees and employers. Cox is the director of ICE Group, the first Irish company to adopt the four-day week, and the author of a book about the experience called ‘The 3-Day Weekend’. She suggests that the recent St Patrick’s Day holiday, which saw many companies switching to a four-day week, should prompt more people to consider the benefits. Cox and her colleague Felim McDonnell were inspired by New Zealand’s adoption of the system and trialled it in July 2019, seeing 27% higher productivity after six months. Cox believes that small organisations will have an easier time switching to four-day weeks due to their agility and recommends involving staff in the process.


In conclusion, the possibility of a four-day working week becoming the norm in Ireland cannot be ruled out. With various studies and real-life examples showing the potential benefits of this system, more companies and policymakers are starting to consider it as a viable option. However, there are also challenges and concerns that need to be addressed, including issues with work-life balance and productivity. It remains to be seen if a four-day working week will become a widespread practice in Ireland, but the conversation around it is definitely gaining momentum. As such, it’s important for us as a society to continue exploring this idea and finding ways to make it work for everyone involved.