A Four-Day Workweek: A Modern Twist on John Maynard Keynes’ Idea

The idea of a four-day workweek is once again gaining traction in the United States as advancements in artificial intelligence are expected to increase automation, leading to more leisure time for workers. This concept was first proposed by economist John Maynard Keynes in 1930, who predicted that as technology improved, the major economic issue would be finding enough work for everyone.

Keynes suggested that spreading out the work among more people would be a solution to this problem. He even proposed the idea of a three-hour shift or a fifteen-hour workweek. Now, nearly 100 years later, this idea is being resurfaced in the United States as companies adopt reduced schedules such as a four-day workweek.

Some U.S. companies have already adopted this reduced schedule, citing benefits such as improved recruitment, productivity, and increased spending on travel and leisure. Whether this change comes through federal regulation or voluntary adoption by employers, the idea of a four-day workweek is being explored as a way to create a more balanced and fulfilling work life for employees. The potential economic impact of such a change is being analyzed as more companies consider implementing this new way of working.