The four-day workweek—working roughly 32 hours instead of the traditional 40—is becoming increasingly popular across many sectors. But for developers and engineering teams, does it truly stick? Let's examine the evidence, challenges, and long-term viability in tech.

Momentum Behind the Movement

• A global pilot involving 61 firms and 2,900 knowledge workers (e.g., software teams) showed that 56 pledged to continue after the trial, and 18 fully adopted the 4-day model, citing improved morale and productivity.

• A 2021 Autonomy study found employees on a 4-day week were 20% more productive and reported better well-being forbes.com.

• In Japan, Microsoft’s 2019 pilot recorded a 40% boost in productivity and significant cost savings.

These results suggest potential gains—but how sustainable are they, especially among developers?

Developer & Agile Team Implications

• A case study of remote agile software teams found no drop in productivity during a 4-day workweek, though team stress levels rose slightly. Overall satisfaction, however, increased.

• On Reddit, a self-described developer noted:

  “I find it helps my work/life balance a lot… more productive and motivated.”

Still, compressing the same work into fewer days can be challenging—especially with recurring meetings or collaboration bottlenecks .

The AI Factor in 2025

• AI-enabled productivity gains are increasingly cited as enabling shorter weeks. Axios reports tech startups switching to 4-day weeks now leverage AI in code generation and automation.

• Senator Bernie Sanders recently suggested 32-hour weeks should be enabled by AI-driven productivity improvements, not wage cuts.

• Conversely, some analysts warn AI could intensify “always‑on” expectations, potentially undermining reduced-hour benefits.

Key Drivers & Considerations

Pros for developers:

• Better work-life balance → improved mental health, creativity, and retention.

• Performance gains via reduced context switching and focused time blocks .

• Enhanced employer branding, attracting top talent via flexible schedules linkedin.com.

Challenges to manage:

• Condensed schedules may increase daily stress; burnout risk if not well-balanced .

• Coordination issues—especially for remote or cross-functional developers—may complicate sprint cycles and on-call rotations .

• Variability in AI adoption means not all teams can realize productivity gains .

The Outlook: Will It Last?

For Tech & Dev Teams:

• Likely feasible in small to mid-sized, agile-first companies that actively streamline processes.

• Success hinges on reducing meetings, automating workflows, and embracing async collaboration.

In Large Enterprises:

• Pilots may continue, but widescale adoption is slower due to global coordination requirements and legacy systems.

AI's Role:

• AI productivity tools (e.g., code assistants, CI/CD bots) could make 4-day weeks viable long-term—but mismanagement could deepen time pressure businessinsider.com.

Bottom Line

The 4-day workweek is more than a trend—it’s gaining serious traction in 2025, especially within tech. For developers:

• When thoughtfully implemented—with workload redesign, automation, and team alignment—it can boost productivity, morale, and retention.

• However, squeezing too much into fewer days without structural changes risks burnout and coordination challenges.

• AI stands to both enable and complicate the model: it promises efficiency but also raises expectations.

So yes, the 4-day workweek is here to stay among forward-looking developer teams—but only for those ready to redesign work itself, not just reduce hours.

What’s Next for Developers & Managers?

• Pilot thoughtfully: Start with a small team or sprint cycle to measure dose-response.

• Optimize meetings: Introduce 'meeting-free' days or async standups, per Benjamin Laker’s research.

• Embrace tooling: Prioritize CI/CD, code automation, and async communication.

• Track outcomes: Measure productivity, burnout, and quality alongside developer feedback.

With conscious implementation, the 4-day week can evolve—supported by AI, team design, and a culture that values impact over hours.