In Aug. 2019, Microsoft Japan launched a four-day work week trial for its 2,300 employees in an effort to combat overwork.

For a country infamous for its toxic work culture and lack of work-life balance, it is considered a huge step by the tech giant in Japan.

All employees were given five Fridays off in August, without any reduction in salary and annual leave, Mainichi reported.

Company sees 39.9 per cent boost in productivity

The project, titled "Work-life Choice Challenge Summer 2019" by Microsoft Japan, saw staggering results, and productivity soared 39.9 per cent for the entire month.

証明されたぞ！！！！！！
今から日本全体で週休3日にしよう！！！！！！

週休3日制でも生産性4割向上、日本マイクロソフトが新施策の成果発表 https://t.co/678KX94ZDk

— shogo.yamada (@yshogo87) November 1, 2019

Translation:

"It's been proven!!!!!

From now on, let's implement the three-day weekend everywhere else!!!!!!"

A significant portion of the increase in productivity resulted from the changes in meetings, as reported by Tech.Nikkei via SoraNews24.

Several meetings were cut, shortened, or changed to virtual meetings rather than having them in-person.

Employees also took 25.4 per cent fewer days off during that month, printed 58.7 per cent fewer pages, and used 23.1 per cent less electricity in the office, saving the company a significant number of costs as well.

And of course, 92.1 per cent of employees reflected that they liked the four-day work week at the end of the trial.

Not sure what's bothering the 7.9 per cent that didn't, though.

Microsoft Japan added that they plan to conduct a similar project this winter to encourage more flexible working, reported CNBC.

Top image via coolcaesar/Wikipedia Commons

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