South Korea’s Ministry of Employment has launched a 6-month pilot program introducing a 4-day work week across select public sector offices. The aim is to increase productivity and reduce workplace burnout in a country known for its intense work culture.
If successful, the model could expand to the private sector by 2026. Surveys show strong support among younger professionals and working parents.
The idea is gaining traction in parts of South Asia too. Bhutan’s education sector and tech companies in India and Bangladesh are already experimenting with hybrid or compressed work schedules.
