EMPLOYER RESISTANCE TO THE FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK IN BANGLADESH: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The idea of working four days a week instead of five sounds exciting less stress, more balance, and maybe even better productivity. Around the world, trials in places like Iceland and New Zealand have shown exactly that. But in Bangladesh, things aren’t so straightforward. We wanted to find out why many employers are still hesitant, so we talked to 18 organizations from industries such as garments, banking, IT, healthcare, and education. What we found was a mix of curiosity and concern. Employers worry about how clients would react if services were unavailable for an extra day, whether deadlines could still be met, and if productivity might drop. Cultural habits also play a role here, long hours are often seen as proof of commitment and the law doesn’t clearly support flexible work models yet. Still, most leaders agreed the idea has promise, especially for keeping employees happy and reducing stress. The challenge is that there’s no local evidence yet. Our study suggests Bangladesh doesn’t need a big leap all at once small, well-planned pilot programs in sectors like IT and education could show what’s possible and help build confidence. With the right support, a four-day work week could gradually become a reality that works for both businesses and people.