Microsoft Tests 4-Day Workweek and Productivity Increases 40% The company’s Japan offices closed every Friday in August during a summer program called the “Work Life Choice Challenge.” Managers also encouraged employees to limit time spent in meetings and responding to emails. Compared to the same period of the previous year, productivity, which was measured by sales per employee, increased by 40%. In addition to boosted productivity, the company was able to save on other resources, particularly electricity. Microsoft plans to conduct another experiment in Japan later this year in an effort to improve work-life balance and efficiency.
