First Company to Introduce the Four-Day Workweek in Turkey Cites 85% Increase in Employee’s Work-Life Balance

Aksa Akrilik Kimya Sanayii AS has become the first company in Turkey to permanently adopt a four-day workweek for its white-collar employees.  

According to a report published by Fortune, the acrylic fiber producer, located in Yalova near Istanbul, implemented the shorter workweek to improve operational efficiency and promote work-life balance among its workforce. 

The company’s CEO, Cengiz Tas, reported that the four-day workweek trial led to an 85% increase in reported work-life balance and employee engagement. Also, the company saw a significant increase in job applications after the new schedule. 

Initially, Aksa Akrilik designated fixed days off, but this caused some disruptions in day-to-day operations. To address this issue, Aksa Akrilik adopted a more flexible approach, allowing employees to choose their days off and even divide them into partial-day breaks. 

The four-day workweek has been gaining traction globally, with companies in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Germany conducting trials to test its effectiveness, among many others. Aska Akrilik’s success in adopting the reduced workweek model adds to the growing discourse on how and if it could one day redefine traditional work schedules around the world to better prioritize employee well-being and productivity. 

As more companies explore alternative work arrangements, Aksa Akrilik’s success story serves as another inspiration for employers seeking to embrace new kinds of flexible work models to establish a more balanced and engaged workforce.