United States: the increasingly popular 4-day week in large companies

The way of working evolves and adapts to the situation. According to EY’s Future Workplace Index, published on November 16, 40% of companies tracked by the consultancy have implemented a four-day work week for their employees or are about to do so. A measure to reduce working hours that is being developed in the United States in a context of low unemployment and a shortage of labor.

To reach these conclusions, EY anonymously interviewed more than 500 senior executives and business leaders from a “multiple industries.”

This search for flexibility is also reflected in the increased use of teleworking. Thus, 70% of American employees work from home at least two or three days a week, compared to only 42% last year. So much so that almost 60% of companies use or are about to use reservation systems for space utilization or occupancy tracking.

The changes are aimed at attracting and retaining the missing employees on the other side of the Atlantic. According to this work, 64% of executives believe that flexible work options represent a source of motivation for employees.

Innovations to make offices attractive

But offices are not neglected by employers. While they make teleworking easier to access, they also ensure that you continue to draw your employees into the office. To do this, 50% of business leaders trust in the organization of physical events, 45% in the provision of meals and 38% reimburse the transportation expenses of their employees.

To improve the well-being of their salaried employees in the office, 44% of business leaders have also invested in the metaverse for social engagement, training, or recruiting purposes. They are also 62% to invest in innovations related to the health and safety of employees, such as tools to monitor indoor air quality or the establishment of contactless offices.

These changes, added to the economic slowdown in the United States, also have an impact on the real estate investment strategy of companies. But its effect is mixed. According to the EY Index, only 33% of business owners will reduce their commercial real estate portfolio. On the contrary, there are 58% who declare that they are about to extend it.