After burning out from 50+ hour weeks, I successfully negotiated a 4-day workweek while maintaining my full salary. Six months in, both my manager and I consider it a success. Here's exactly how I did it:
The preparation phase:
Tracked all work activities for 3 months
Identified inefficiencies and low-value tasks
Created proposal with specific productivity metrics
Researched company precedent and industry examples
Practiced negotiation with trusted colleague
The proposal framework:
Framed as 40 hours of work in 4 days (not reduced hours)
Emphasized productivity benefits over personal preference
Proposed 3-month trial with clear success metrics
Offered flexible day off (Wednesday, not Friday)
Included communication plan for internal/external contacts
The actual negotiation script:
"I've been researching ways to maximize my productivity and value to the team. I'd like to propose a 4-day workweek structure where I'd complete my full workload in four focused days instead of five. I've analyzed my work patterns and identified specific efficiency improvements that would make this possible. I'm proposing a 3-month trial with these specific success metrics, after which we can evaluate together whether it's working for the team."
Implementation details:
Compressed meetings into 3 days
Implemented deep work blocks (90-120 minutes)
Eliminated or delegated low-value tasks
Created detailed documentation for coverage
Used voice tools for rapid documentation (Willow Voice for transcription)
Set clear communication expectations
The voice transcription tool has been essential for efficiency - I can quickly dictate notes, documentation, and even draft emails while walking or between meetings, which helps compress administrative work.
Results after 6 months:
Productivity increased by 22% (measured by deliverables)
Work quality improved (fewer errors, more thorough analysis)
Reduced meeting time by 35%
Better documentation (necessity for coverage day)
Improved mental health and work satisfaction
Zero negative feedback from clients or colleagues
Challenges and solutions:
Coverage for urgent issues (implemented on-call protocol)
Meeting scheduling conflicts (blocked calendar on off day)
Initial resistance from colleagues (addressed with results data)
Occasional workload spikes (flexible to adjust when truly needed)
The key insight: This worked because I approached it as a business improvement, not a personal accommodation. The focus was always on maintaining or improving results, not just working less.
Has anyone else successfully negotiated a 4-day week? What approach worked for you?