The consequences of a compressed workweek: a systematic literature review

Compressed workweek arrangements, where employees work extended daily hours in exchange for fewer workdays, are adopted to address individual and organizational needs. While advocates highlight benefits such as improved work-life balance and reduced commuting time, the effects on employee health/well-being and work outcomes remain unclear. The objective of the current paper is to summarize existing knowledge on the longitudinal relationship between compressed workweeks and employee health/wellbeing and work outcomes.

We conducted a systematic search in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Cinahl, and Web of Science in March 2023. We included peer-reviewed publications that empirically investigated the longitudinal relationship between compressed work schedules and employee health/well-being or work outcomes in employees working no more than 55 h a week. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. The study is registered in Prospero (CRD42020172595).

The 20 longitudinal studies yielded mixed results, identifying positive and negative effects on health/well-being and work outcomes. Most studies found no significant differences in at least one outcome. Results suggest that a compressed workweek increases sickness absence but also improves shift satisfaction. Predominantly negative health effects were observed when comparing a compressed workweek to fixed day work, mixed effects when comparing a compressed workweek with 12 h shifts to alternative shifts arrangements, and limited evidence for a compressed workweek with 10 h shifts.

The impact of compressed workweeks remains uncertain, demonstrating mixed results on employee health and work outcomes. The findings vary depending on the length of shifts and alternative schedule.