{
  "id": 8200486,
  "title": "I tried a 4-day workweek at my company and it failed — for some of my employees",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/i-tried-a-4-day-workweek-at-my-company-and-it-failed-for-some-of-my",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T07:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/09/18/four-day-workweek-flexibility-optionality/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent experiment, the CEO of a large, global company attempted to implement a four-day workweek for their nearly 1,000-person workforce. The idea was to give employees more time and create a better experience while maintaining business outcomes. However, the experiment did not go as planned. While some employees thrived under the new schedule, others found it restrictive and less flexible than before. The CEO realized that the issue wasn't with the four-day workweek itself, but rather with the approach taken. Instead of focusing on creating true flexibility, the company had replaced one rigid schedule with another. To address this, the CEO shifted the focus from the number of days worked to the outcome each role needed to deliver. This led to the concept of \"optionality,\" which emphasizes giving employees more choice in how they structure their work, rather than standardizing a company-wide schedule. The key is to let employees choose the option that best meets their needs while still delivering what the business and customers require. However, optionality only works if there is accountability. Leaders must define clear expectations and performance metrics for each role, rather than relying on factors like hours worked or physical presence. This requires a shift in leadership thinking and a focus on measuring outcomes rather than time spent at work. The CEO learned that designing flexibility from the top down can be counterproductive. Instead, they advocate for a bottom-up approach, where employees have the freedom to choose how they work as long as they meet the necessary outcomes. Ultimately, the lesson is to keep testing ideas, paying attention to real-world results, and being willing to change course when necessary. The workplace will continue to evolve, and leaders must remain adaptable and open to new ways of working.",
  "summary": "A four-day workweek is not for everyone, it turns out.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}