TRENDING
October 19, 2019
Microsoft Japan has revealed striking results from a month-long experiment that gave employees every Friday off, reporting a 40 percent jump in productivity compared with the same period last year.
The initiative, called the “Work-Life Choice Challenge Summer 2019,” ran throughout August and involved all of the company’s 2,300 full-time workers. Staff received the extra day off each week with no cut to pay, while the offices remained closed on Fridays.
Inside the Trial
The company did more than simply shorten the calendar. Meetings were capped at 30 minutes, attendance was limited to only those who were necessary, and employees were encouraged to replace lengthy discussions with quick digital communication. Alongside the new schedule, Microsoft offered support for personal development and family time, underscoring its stated goal of helping workers achieve better balance between professional and personal lives.
The Results
The most striking outcome was the 40 percent surge in productivity, measured as sales per employee compared with August 2018. But that was not the only improvement. Electricity use in the office fell by nearly a quarter, and paper printing dropped by almost 60 percent. Employees also took fewer days off, and more than nine out of ten staff surveyed said they preferred the shorter workweek.
Why It Worked
Observers point to several reasons behind the gains. With less time available, staff worked with sharper focus and eliminated tasks that added little value. Meetings were no longer allowed to drag on, freeing up hours for real work. And the three-day weekends offered a morale boost, helping employees return to the office with more energy.
Questions Ahead
While the results have drawn attention worldwide, some questions remain. The trial lasted only one month, leaving it unclear whether such dramatic productivity gains can be sustained over the long term. Not all job types may adapt as easily to a shorter week, and scaling the approach to other industries could pose challenges.
Broader Significance
Even with those caveats, Microsoft Japan’s trial has sparked conversations about the future of work, particularly in a country where long hours have traditionally been the norm. The company has indicated it will run further experiments in the coming months, suggesting this may be only the beginning of a wider rethink.
For now, the trial stands as a striking case study: when workers were given more time to rest, recover, and focus, productivity did not slip; it soared.