'We have noticed some really great outcomes': Raleigh business owner advocates for four-day workweeks

CX Pilots founder Steven Keith made the change in June 2022 for his Raleigh-based business. Keith said he was nervous about making the change, but he’s glad he did.

“Does a four-day workweek work? Yeah, they do work,” Keith said. “We have been doing this for quite a while we have noticed some really great outcomes.”

Keith said his employees enjoy the benefits, which include less work-related stress, lower rates of burnout and higher job satisfaction. He said new employees are typically surprised to see one less day on the work schedule.

“I believe a four-day workweek is something we should absolutely do,” worker Azria Richardson said.

“We have had people who interviewed for positions at CX Pilot,” Keith said. “They are like, ‘Are you sure this is a benefit? Are you going to pull this out after we start?’”

It appears more people are coming back into the office in Raleigh.

According to Downtown Raleigh Alliance 88.4% of downtown offices are occupied. However, it is still lower than pre-pandemic numbers, which were above 90% occupied.

As more people go back into the building, Keith thinks one less day of work can be a positive incentive.

“Does exertion equal value?” Keith said. “Does the amount of effort you put into something amount to value? It turns out, exertion does not equal value. It is how you use your time.”

Keith plans to stay the course, and Richardson is hopeful more companies will follow.

“I think our country is really good on efficiency,” Richardson said. “Everyone knows that America is known for being efficient.

“We would work harder and be able to enjoy our lives with our families. “

Keith says he has also shared with some of his clients the benefits of four-day workweek.

According to the UK study, 39% of employees say they felt less stress working four days instead of five.