Four-Day Work Week: A Growing Trend in Czechia

The four-day workweek is no longer just a reality in Iceland, Belgium, Switzerland, or Germany.

Roughly one percent of companies in Czechia have introduced a four-day work week, the news site Novinky reported. Some are also introducing flexible working hours as an alternative.

Brno-based Phonexia, a global leader in speech technology, implemented a four-day work week last February and has praised the results. Management aimed to significantly improve employees’ work-life balance, and according to Strategy Director Zuzana Roznosova, this goal has been achieved.

Employees appreciate better relaxation, more family time, and the opportunity to pursue hobbies. “I finally have time to do things I enjoy and find fulfilling. Plus, I feel more energetic and think it shows in my work,” said project manager Jan Matoušek.

The change has also led to employees coming to the office more frequently, improving cooperation and workplace atmosphere. The company has also seen an increase in job applicants.

Another company, Digiskills, which enhances digital literacy and offers technology use advice, has also adopted flexible working hours. Employees can structure their week as they wish, provided they meet agreed-upon goals.

Experts estimate that about one percent of Czech companies, roughly a few thousand, offer a four-day workweek. In the IT sector, about five percent of companies offer this benefit, according to Denisa Janatová, director of Smitio, a career platform for IT professionals.

“The four-day workweek is ideal for companies that value innovation, flexibility, and a modern approach to work, such as creative agencies, marketing firms, and other sectors where creativity and mental work are crucial,” said Marcela Vyskoková from Advantage Consulting.

However, the model doesn’t work for everyone. The digital agency Cognito introduced a shortened week but eventually abandoned it.

“A four-day work week makes sense if efficiency is sufficient to cover costs and generate a reasonable profit. In a competitive market with longer hours, you either have to be one-fifth more efficient or one-fifth more expensive,” said Cognito CEO Jan Janča.

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