How to Ask Your Boss for a 4-Day Work Week (With Email Templates)
You've heard about the 4-day work week. You've seen the studies. 92% of UK companies that tried it made it permanent. You want it. But how do you actually ask your boss without seeming lazy or uncommitted?
This guide will show you exactly how to pitch a 4-day work week to your employer—with proven strategies, sample scripts, and 3 email templates you can customize and send today.
Before You Ask: Is This the Right Move?
Not every company or role is a good fit for a 4-day work week (yet). Here's how to assess your situation:
✅ Good Signs:
- Your company values results over hours
- You have flexibility in when/where you work
- Your role is project-based or output-focused
- Leadership is progressive and open to new ideas
- Your industry is seeing 4-day work week adoption
⚠️ Challenging Signs:
- Your company has a strict 9-5 culture
- You're in a client-facing role requiring 5-day availability
- Leadership is traditional or resistant to change
- You're new to the company (less than 6 months)
- You're already underperforming
Note: Even if you see red flags, it doesn't mean you can't ask—it just means you need a stronger pitch.
Do Your Research
Before approaching your boss, gather evidence that a 4-day work week is a smart business decision, not just a personal preference.
Key Data Points to Include:
1. Productivity Doesn't Drop (It Often Increases)
- Microsoft Japan: 40% productivity increase
- UK Trial (61 companies): Revenue increased 1.4%
- Iceland Trial: Productivity maintained or improved
2. Companies Save Money
- 57% reduction in turnover (UK trial)
- 23% lower electricity costs (Microsoft Japan)
- 65% fewer sick days (UK trial)
3. Recruiting & Retention Benefits
- 4-day work weeks are a top recruiting tool
- Higher quality candidates apply
- Lower burnout = longer employee tenure
4. Your Industry Is Adopting It
Find companies in your industry already doing this. Check 4DayJob.com to discover companies offering 4-day weeks in your field.
Build Your Business Case
Frame your request around business benefits, not personal desires.
Structure Your Pitch Like This:
1. The Problem
Identify a challenge your company faces:
- High turnover
- Difficulty recruiting
- Burnout/low morale
- Lagging productivity
2. The Solution
A 4-day work week trial addresses these issues.
3. The Evidence
Share studies, case studies, competitor examples.
4. The Proposal
Suggest a pilot program:
- Duration: 3-6 months
- Team: Start with your team/department
- Metrics: Track productivity, revenue, employee satisfaction
- Review: Evaluate at the end and decide whether to continue
5. What's In It For Them
- Lower costs (turnover, sick days, overhead)
- Higher productivity
- Better employer brand
- Happier, more engaged employees
Choose the Right Timing
Timing matters. Here's when to ask:
✅ Good Times:
- After a major win or successful project
- During annual reviews or goal-setting meetings
- When the company is hiring
- After positive press about 4-day weeks in your industry
- When leadership is discussing work-life balance initiatives
❌ Bad Times:
- During layoffs or cost-cutting
- Right after a major failure
- When the company is in crisis mode
- If you're underperforming
How to Have the Conversation
Step 1: Request a Meeting
Don't ambush your boss. Send a calendar invite with a clear subject:
Subject: "Discussion: Productivity Enhancement Proposal"
Step 2: Lead with Curiosity
Start by asking:
"I've been reading about companies like [Competitor] experimenting with 4-day work weeks and seeing great results. Have you seen any of that research?"
Step 3: Present the Business Case
Share your research:
- Studies showing productivity gains
- Competitors or industry leaders doing it
- The potential benefits for your company
Step 4: Propose a Pilot
Make it low-risk:
"I'd love to pilot this with my role for 3 months. We can track my output, and if it doesn't work, we revert. But if it does, it could be a model for the team."
Step 5: Address Objections
Be ready for pushback:
| Objection | Response |
|---|---|
| "We need 5-day coverage" | "What if we stagger schedules so someone's always available?" |
| "Productivity will drop" | "Every study shows it stays the same or increases. Let's track it." |
| "Clients expect 5-day availability" | "We can set clear response-time expectations." |
| "It's not fair to others" | "If it works for me, we can roll it out to others." |
| "What if deadlines get missed?" | "We can set clear KPIs. If I miss targets, we stop the pilot." |
3 Email Templates
Template 1: The Pilot Proposal
Subject: Proposal: Productivity Pilot Program
Hi [Boss's Name],
I've been researching workplace productivity trends and wanted to share an idea that could benefit our team.
Companies like [Competitor/Industry Leader] have adopted 4-day work weeks and are seeing impressive results:
- 40% productivity increase (Microsoft Japan)
- 57% reduction in turnover (UK study)
- Revenue growth of 1.4% (61-company trial)
I'd like to propose a 3-month pilot where I work 4 days per week (Mon-Thu) while maintaining 100% of my output. We can track:
- Project completion rates
- Quality of work
- Stakeholder feedback
If productivity drops, we revert. If it stays the same or improves, it could be a model for the team.
I believe this could help us:
✅ Boost productivity
✅ Improve work-life balance
✅ Strengthen our recruiting/retention
Would you be open to discussing this further?
Thanks for considering it!
[Your Name]
Template 2: The Research-Backed Request
Subject: Interesting Productivity Research — Worth Exploring?
Hi [Boss's Name],
I recently came across some fascinating research on the 4-day work week and wanted to share it with you.
Key Findings:
- 92% of UK companies that trialed it made it permanent
- Iceland's trial (2,500 workers): Productivity maintained, well-being improved
- Microsoft Japan: 40% productivity boost, 23% lower costs
I know we're always looking for ways to improve efficiency and retention. A 4-day work week could help us:
- Reduce turnover (57% reduction in UK trial)
- Attract top talent (it's a major recruiting differentiator)
- Increase focus (fewer distractions, more deep work)
I'd love to pilot this for my role over the next 3 months and track results. If it doesn't work, no harm done.
Worth a conversation?
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 3: The Competitive Advantage Pitch
Subject: Idea to Strengthen Our Employer Brand
Hi [Boss's Name],
I've noticed that some of our competitors—like [Competitor 1] and [Competitor 2]—have started offering 4-day work weeks, and they're using it as a major recruiting tool.
With hiring being so competitive right now, I think we should explore this as well.
Why it works:
- Top talent prioritizes work-life balance (surveys show it's a top 3 factor)
- Productivity stays the same (proven by 61-company UK trial)
- Lower turnover means lower recruiting costs
I'd be happy to pilot this for my role to see if it's viable for the team. We can set clear success metrics and evaluate after 3 months.
If we can prove it works, it could be a huge competitive advantage in recruiting.
Thoughts?
[Your Name]
What to Do If They Say No
Not every boss will say yes immediately. Here's what to do:
1. Ask Why
Understanding the objection helps you address it:
"I appreciate you considering it. Can I ask what your main concerns are?"
2. Propose a Smaller Test
If a full 4-day week is too much, suggest:
- One 4-day week per month
- Summer Fridays
- Flexible Fridays (half-day or async work)
3. Improve Your Performance First
If your boss isn't confident in your productivity, prove it:
- Exceed targets for 3-6 months
- Document your wins
- Ask again with a stronger track record
4. Plant the Seed for Later
Sometimes the answer is "not yet." Say:
"I understand. If things change or you'd like to revisit this in the future, I'd love to explore it."
Then crush your goals and bring it up again in 6 months.
The Backup Plan: Find a 4-Day Work Week Job
If your company won't budge, you have another option: find a company that already offers a 4-day work week.
Hundreds of companies are hiring for 4-day positions right now:
Browse 4-Day Work Week Jobs:
Companies Already Doing It:
Check out: 50 Companies With 4-Day Work Weeks Hiring in 2026.
Sometimes the fastest path to a 4-day work week is joining a company that already values it.
Final Thoughts
Asking for a 4-day work week can feel scary, but remember:
- ✅ The data supports it (productivity, retention, cost savings)
- ✅ Hundreds of companies are already doing it successfully
- ✅ The worst they can say is "not yet"
You deserve a better work-life balance. And if your current company won't give it to you, there are hundreds of 4-day work week jobs on 4DayJob.com waiting for someone like you.
Good luck! 🚀
Last updated: February 2026