Perpetual Guardian, New Zealand's leading provider of the four-day week

The 4-day week…many people dream of it, but few have the opportunity to experience it on a daily basis. In Auckland, New Zealand, the management company Permanent guardiansuccessfully tested and approved a paid 4-day week in 2018. A role model for the island's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Work less to earn just as much

Perpetual Guardian, a wealth management company with more than $150 billion under management, decided in February 2018 to test a 4-day, 5-day paid workweek for two months without increasing working hours.

This is done under the leadership of its founder, Andrew Barnes Managerial betting It was tested among the company's 240 employees. ” If you empower people to be as effective in the office as they can outside of the office – by giving them more free time – you will perform better at work. He announced this in 2018 when he presented his idea.

Evaluated by university researchers, the experiment revealed convincing results: a 20% increase in productivity, less stress, more initiative, and even a better balance between professional and private life. So much so that the company has perpetuated this system that recently inspired the Prime Minister.

– Relaunching the local economy, especially tourism

While some voices suggest increasing working hours, in France and elsewhere, to revive the economy and save struggling companies, New Zealand recommends exactly the opposite. Jacinda Ardern said last month that the four-day week would allow New Zealanders more flexibility to travel and that “ That would definitely help Tourism All over the country “It must be said that this sector is strategic. It alone represents approximately 6% of GDP, 60% of which comes from holidaymakers and local travellers, according to the New Zealand Tourism Office.

If this measure were promoted directly in high places, it would not be the subject of a law. Employers and employees have the possibility to negotiate and adopt it or not.

A book and platform to promote the 4-day work week

Based on this successful experience, Andrew Barnes became convinced that the 4-day week was the solution that should be rolled out among other companies around the world: “ This new rhythm has great benefits for society: it reduces congestion on roads and public transportation, reduces health care costs, makes families more harmonious and improves the quality of life. », he writes in his work entitled 4 days weekpublished in early 2020, provides advice. With the same perspective, he participated in establishing 4 weeks globala platform to bring together people who want to support this innovation in action.