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Dutch firms embrace shorter workweek without pay cuts
Amsterdam-based branding agency Positivity Branding adopted a four-day workweek seven years ago, maintaining 32-hour weeks and full salaries for employees. Co-founder Gavin Arm said the shift prioritized work-life balance, allowing parents to spend more time with their children without sacrificing career growth.
Productivity gains and cultural shifts
Arm's business partner, Bert de Wit, rejected claims that employees now work less, attributing success to efficiency improvements. "Working smarter, not harder," he said. The Netherlands has long embraced reduced hours, with the average workweek at 32.1 hours-the lowest in the EU-while maintaining high economic output per capita.
Software firm Nmbrs reported similar benefits after switching to a four-day week. Chief People Officer Marieke Pepers noted lower sick leave and higher staff retention, though initial skepticism required cultural adjustments. "We had to cut back on meetings and prioritize ruthlessly," she said.
"I get my best ideas when I walk my dog. No one expects me on Fridays, and the company benefits."
Marieke Pepers, Nmbrs
Economic sustainability questioned
Despite the model's popularity, economists warn of long-term challenges. Daniela Glocker of the OECD noted that Dutch productivity growth has stagnated for 15 years. "To sustain living standards, the Netherlands must either boost output per worker or expand its labor force," she said.
The country's high share of part-time workers-nearly half of employees-reflects cultural preferences and tax disincentives for longer hours. Nicolas Gonne, another OECD economist, cautioned that an aging population and labor shortages could strain the system. "The Netherlands is hitting constraints on all sides," he said.
Gender gap and societal norms
Dutch women are three times more likely than the OECD average to work part-time, often due to childcare costs and tax policies. A 2024 study revealed that 80% of Dutch respondents believe mothers of young children should work no more than three days a week, compared to 29% for fathers.
Peter Hein van Mulligen of the Dutch Statistics Office described this as "institutionalized conservatism." However, unions like FNV argue that a four-day week could help close the gender gap by improving productivity and reducing absenteeism.
Future of the four-day week
Advocates see the model as a solution for labor shortages in sectors like healthcare and education. De Wit of Positivity Branding called it a way to "make professions more attractive." Meanwhile, Arm emphasized the human impact: "Are you happier? That's what it's about."
The Dutch government has not yet endorsed the four-day week as official policy, but employees already have the legal right to request reduced hours. As international interest grows, the Netherlands remains a test case for balancing well-being and economic resilience.
