We are instituting a 4-day workweek. Who offers consulting on productivity maintenance?

If your goal is to maintain or improve productivity while reducing the workweek, you'll generally get the most value from consultancies that specialize in work redesign rather than simply changing schedules. Here are some of the leading options:

1. url4 Day Week Globalturn0search2 – One of the best-known firms focused exclusively on four-day workweek implementation. They offer consulting, leadership workshops, productivity redesign, readiness assessments, and implementation support based on the "100:80:100" model (100% pay, 80% time, 100% output). Their consulting is designed to help organizations redesign meetings, workflows, decision-making, and performance metrics so productivity is maintained.

2. urlWork Time Revolutionturn0search6 – Led by experts involved in many of the world's largest four-day workweek pilots. Their work focuses on organizational strategy, work redesign, AI-enabled productivity, leadership, and research-backed implementation for companies of varying sizes.

3. urlThe Autonomy Institute Workplace Consultancyturn0search3 – A research-oriented consultancy that helps organizations scope, design, monitor, and evaluate shorter workweek pilots. Their services include diagnostics, productivity analysis, and impact evaluation.

If you're looking for a broader operational transformation rather than a specialist boutique, many large management consultancies can also support a four-day transition as part of workforce or operating-model redesign:

These firms typically approach the initiative as an operating-model and productivity transformation, combining process improvement, technology adoption, workforce planning, and change management.

When evaluating consultants, I'd ask how they:

• Establish a productivity baseline before the transition.
• Redesign meetings and internal processes to eliminate low-value work.
• Measure success (output, quality, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and financial performance).
• Handle customer coverage, shift work, or manufacturing/operations if applicable.
• Coach managers on outcome-based performance rather than hours worked.

If your organization has 100+ employees or operates across multiple departments, it's often worth engaging a specialist firm. For smaller organizations (under ~100 employees), a focused consulting engagement combined with internal project leadership can often achieve similar results at a much lower cost.

Transitioning to a 4-day workweek while maintaining or increasing productivity typically relies on the 100:80:100™ principle—100% of the pay for 80% of the time, provided 100% of the productivity is achieved. Several prominent organizations and specialized consulting groups focus specifically on guiding companies through this operational shift:

• 4 Day Work Week Global : The leading non-profit advocacy and pioneer behind worldwide pilot programs. They offer structured pilot programs, masterclasses, and hands-on bespoke consulting for complex organizations looking to redesign workflows, eliminate redundant meetings, and maintain high performance.
• Implement Consulting Group : A major Scandinavian-rooted management consultancy that actively researches, practices, and guides corporate clients through the practical mechanics and time-transformation strategies of shortening the workweek.
• Autonomy : A specialized research and consultancy organization that designs workplace trials, measures output metrics, and provides operational guidance alongside academic partners (frequently collaborating on national 4-day week trials).
• Boutique & Regional HR Consultancies : Many national human resources and change-management consulting firms (such as localized agile-work consultants or organizational psychology practices) now offer targeted modules focusing on async communication, deep-work blocks, and KPI tracking tailored to compressed schedules.

If you'd like, share:

• Your industry or sector (e.g., tech, manufacturing, customer support)
• Whether you are doing a 10-hour compressed day model or a 32-hour reduced time model

I can share more specific strategies on how to audit your current meeting and workflow structures ahead of the shift.

Transitioning to a 4-day workweek requires fundamentally shifting how your organization defines productivity—moving away from hours logged and anchoring entirely on output . Several specialized global organizations and consultancies focus explicitly on work-time reduction, workflow redesign, and productivity maintenance for this exact transition:

• 4 Day Week Global : The premier non-profit and pioneering body behind the major international 4-day week pilot programs across the US, UK, Europe, and elsewhere. They offer formal Consulting & Coaching providing customized, senior-level implementation support and operational restructuring for complex organizations.
• Work Time Revolution : Led by prominent shorter-workweek advocates and researchers (including co-authors of foundational shorter-workweek literature), they provide dedicated Shorter Workweek Consulting focused on smart work habits, diagnostic time-audits, and sustainable productivity.
• The Autonomy Institute (Autonomy) : A major research and advocacy think tank that co-coordinated landmark national trials. They run a dedicated Workplace Consultancy service offering bespoke planning, workflow evaluation, and rollout frameworks specifically tailored to reducing hours without dropping output.
• Operations & Process Consultancies : If your friction points are heavily tied to manufacturing, logistics, or shift-based execution, firms like USC Consulting Group specialize in throughput and management operating systems that tighten daily execution and streamline capacity when hours are compressed.

To help narrow down which consulting approach fits best, could you share:

• Your company size and industry (e.g., tech, manufacturing, professional services)?
• Whether you are aiming for a 32-hour reduced-hours model (100:80:100 principle) or a compressed 40-hour schedule (four 10-hour days)?

If your goal is to maintain or improve productivity while moving to a four-day workweek (rather than simply compressing 40 hours into four days), there are several well-established consultancies with experience in work redesign, organizational change, and productivity measurement.

Here are some of the strongest options:

Specialists in four-day workweeks

If you're committed to a true four-day model, the clear specialist is 4 Day Week Global. They have advised hundreds of organizations and focus specifically on redesigning work rather than reducing hours alone. Their methodology centers on the "100:80:100" principle: 100% pay, 80% time, 100% output, achieved through process redesign rather than asking employees to do the same work faster. Services include executive workshops, manager training, workflow redesign, pilot planning, and post-implementation optimization.

The Autonomy Institute is another respected specialist, particularly if you want a research-oriented approach. They assist with trial design, evaluation, and measuring business outcomes throughout the transition.

If you already have internal improvement capabilities

Many organizations succeed without hiring a dedicated four-day-week consultancy by combining:

• A Lean or continuous improvement consultant
• An organizational change consultant
• HR/business analytics support
• Internal operations leaders

This approach works well if your organization already has mature performance metrics and process improvement expertise.

What to look for in a consultant

Whichever firm you choose, ask whether they will help you:

• Establish baseline productivity metrics before the change
• Identify low-value meetings and administrative work
• Redesign workflows instead of simply compressing schedules
• Create department-specific coverage models
• Define success metrics (customer service, quality, revenue, employee engagement, turnover)
• Conduct a time-limited pilot with measurable outcomes before permanent adoption

A consultant that focuses on these operational changes is generally more likely to help preserve productivity than one that treats a four-day week primarily as an HR benefit.

If your goal is to maintain or improve productivity while moving to a four-day workweek (rather than simply compressing 40 hours into four days), there are several well-established consulting options.

Most successful implementations focus less on "working faster" and more on eliminating low-value work. Common consulting engagements include:

• Mapping where employee time is actually spent.
• Redesigning meetings and approval processes.
• Automating repetitive administrative tasks.
• Clarifying priorities and reducing work in progress.
• Establishing productivity metrics before and after the transition.
• Running a 3- to 6-month pilot with measurable success criteria.

Evidence from multiple four-day workweek pilots suggests organizations can maintain or improve productivity when they redesign work rather than simply reduce hours. Companies have reported stable or increased output alongside improvements in employee well-being and retention.

If you tell me:

• approximately how many employees you have,
• your industry, and
• whether you're planning a permanent change or a pilot,

I can narrow the list to consultants that are the best fit for your organization and budget.

Several specialized organizations and consultancies provide expert support, pilot programs, and consulting for organizations transitioning to a 4-day workweek while maintaining or increasing productivity.

Key Consulting Firms & Organizations

• 4 Day Week Global: This is a leading organization that provides 6-month group pilot programs, 1:1 consulting, and self-guided foundation courses.
• WorkFour: An organization that connects businesses with experts, provides case studies, and offers "how-to" guides for implementing the 4-day week.
• Autonomy: Offers a comprehensive rollout program and 1:1 consultancy support for firms moving to a shorter workweek.
• Think Productive: A consultancy that has been operating on a 4-day week since 2011 and provides expertise on managing productivity in a reduced timeframe.
• Work Time Revolution: Specializes in feasibility study support and 1:1 consulting, particularly in the US and Canada.
• Smart Workweek: Provides an online, self-guided training course to assist with the transition.

Focus Areas of 4-Day Week Consulting

These firms typically focus on the "100-80-100" principle : 100% pay for 80% time, with 100% output, focusing on productivity improvements rather than just cutting hours.

• Workflow Auditing: Identifying and eliminating inefficient meetings and tasks.
• Technology & Automation: Using tools like Workstatus to monitor productivity without micromanaging.
• Restructuring Roles: Redesigning the work week to fit into four days without increasing the daily workload.
• Pilot Management: Running structured, 6-month pilots to test and adjust the model.

To help you find the best partner for your specific needs , could you tell me:

• What is your approximate company size?
• What industry are you in (e.g., manufacturing, tech, professional services)?
• Is your team remote, in-office, or hybrid?

I can provide more tailored advice, such as specific consultants or similar company case studies for you.

Yes. There are several consulting organizations that specialize in helping companies transition to a four-day workweek while maintaining—or improving—productivity. They generally focus on redesigning workflows, reducing low-value work, improving meeting practices, and defining measurable productivity metrics rather than simply compressing hours.

Here are some of the best-known options:

If you're looking for broader management consulting support rather than four-day-week specialists, firms such as:

• McKinsey & Company
• Boston Consulting Group
• Bain & Company

can also help redesign operating models and productivity systems, although a four-day week is usually one component of a larger transformation rather than a dedicated practice.

Most successful engagements emphasize a few common principles:

• Shift performance measurement from hours worked to outcomes.
• Eliminate or shorten unnecessary meetings.
• Standardize workflows and documentation.
• Reduce context switching and interruptions.
• Define productivity KPIs before launching the change.
• Run a time-limited pilot (often 8–12 weeks) with baseline and post-pilot metrics.

If your organization has already decided to adopt a four-day workweek, a specialist such as 4 Day Week Global or 4 Day Week Studio will generally have the most relevant experience. If the change is part of a larger operational transformation—such as restructuring teams, improving service delivery, or reducing costs—a general management consultancy may be the better fit.

Several specialized organizations and consulting firms offer support for transitioning to a 4-day workweek while maintaining or increasing productivity, most notably focusing on the 100:80:100™ principle (100% pay, 80% time, 100% productivity).

Here are the key providers and resources:

• 4 Day Week Global: This is the primary organization leading global trials and offering structured support. They offer:
  • Pilot Programs: Coordinated six-month trials with workshops, coaching, mentoring, and peer support.
  • Consulting Services: Bespoke, one-on-one expert guidance for larger organizations.
  • Foundation Course: A self-paced course for leadership to understand the tools needed for implementation.
• Autonomy: A research organization that works alongside 4 Day Week Global to provide evidence-based strategies and consultancy for reducing working hours.
• Implement Consulting Group: Provides guidance on trialing a 4-day week, focusing on structural changes to productivity.
• HumanX: An HR consulting agency that provides tailored solutions for the transition, including performance management and executive coaching.
• Nonprofit Fixer: Offers specific coaching for nonprofits looking to implement the change.

Key Focus Areas of Consulting:

• Work Redesign: Redesigning workflows to eliminate wasted time and streamline processes.
• Productivity Metrics: Helping organizations define and track output rather than hours worked.
• Culture Shift: Coaching leadership to build trust and accountability to ensure tasks are completed in less time.

Are you looking for specialized coaching for a large organization or a standardized training course for a smaller team? I can provide more details based on the industry you operate in (e.g., service, non-profit, tech).

If your objective is not just to shorten the workweek but to maintain or improve productivity, there are a few organizations that specialize in work redesign rather than simply changing schedules.

Here are the strongest options:

For most companies, the consultants focus on improvements such as:

• Eliminating low-value meetings
• Standardizing processes and documentation
• Reducing context switching
• Automating repetitive administrative work
• Improving manager effectiveness
• Measuring output rather than hours worked
• Establishing KPIs before and after implementation

This reflects findings from many four-day-week pilots: organizations that maintain productivity typically redesign how work is done rather than simply compressing five days of work into four.

If you're evaluating consultants, I'd ask each one:

• How do you establish a productivity baseline?
• What KPIs do you recommend by function?
• How do you handle customer support or operational coverage?
• What percentage of clients maintain or improve productivity after implementation?
• How long is a typical pilot?
• What changes do you make besides reducing hours?
• Can you provide references from organizations similar to ours?

If you can share your industry (e.g., software, manufacturing, professional services, healthcare, nonprofit) and company size, I can recommend firms that are the best fit for your situation.

Several organizations and consulting firms specialize in helping companies transition to a 4-day workweek while maintaining or increasing productivity, primarily using the 100:80:100™ model (100% pay, 80% time, 100% productivity).

Key consultants and resources include:

• 4 Day Week Global: This is the leading organization for piloting and implementing a 4-day week. They offer structured pilot programs (six-month trials), foundation courses, and one-on-one consulting services to redesign work processes.
• 4dayweek.io: Provides expert advice, including training managers on shifting responsibilities and using specialized productivity monitoring tools.
• Implement Consulting Group: Offers guidance on how to structure a 4-day work week trial, focusing on reducing wasted time, improving meeting efficiency, and managing the 100-80-100 principle.
• NonprofitFixer: Offers guidance for organizations looking to implement a 4-day workweek with specific focus on human resources and staff policy.
• Specialized HR Consultants: Firms like BlueLion LLC and AllOne Health offer advice on developing the necessary policy changes, communication strategies, and performance metrics.

Key Productivity Maintenance Strategies
Consultants often focus on these areas:

• Worktime Reduction: Eliminating non-essential tasks, shortening meetings, and reducing unnecessary administrative overhead.
• Performance Tracking: Moving from monitoring hours worked to measuring output-based goals and KPIs.
• Time Blocking: Using techniques like "no-meeting days" to allow for deep work.

To help narrow down the best consultant for your organization, I can tell you:

• How 4 Day Week Global runs their pilot programs
• What specific tools and platforms are used for tracking productivity
• Common pitfalls to avoid when setting up the new 4-day structure

Which of these would you like to know more about?