Working Less, Living More: What We’ve Learned From a 4-Day Work Week

Timplates Reflects on a Year of More Time, Same Impact

We’ve officially completed our first full financial year on a 4-day work week. And no, productivity hasn’t tanked. Deadlines haven’t slipped. The world didn’t end.

In fact, the opposite happened.

When we made the shift, we didn’t frame it as a “perk.” We saw it as a new operating rhythm. One that respects human energy, deep focus, and the reality that most people do better work when they’re rested, trusted, and supported.

Why We Made the Change

The conversation started the way a lot of good ones do: casually, then seriously. We knew our team was efficient. We also knew that quality (not just quantity) was what our clients valued. So we asked:

What would happen if we gave people more time to live, rest, and reset—and trusted them to get the work done in less time?

We weren’t trying to compress five days of work into four. We were trying to work in a way that felt more sustainable. And human.

What the Team Has Said

“It has given me time to focus more on my hobbies, and I feel more rested after the weekend. Feeling more rested helps me perform better at work, which has been very helpful.”

— Stacey, Project & Client Experience Lead

“I can have a day of errands, a day of going out, and a day of rest, which really helps with my overall well-being!”

— Morena, Template Builder & Designer

Rest isn't just a bonus. It’s a performance strategy.

Both Stacey and Morena reported feeling more productive, more motivated, and better balanced since the shift. That extra day off has become a space for hobbies, errands, mental reset, and, importantly, life.

The Benefits We’ve Seen

After 12 months, here’s what we’ve noticed:

• Sharper focus. With fewer hours, we’re more intentional. Deadlines are clearer. Distractions shrink.
• More trust. The team is self-led, efficient, and thoughtful in how they work.
• Real rest. People return to Monday feeling more like people—and less like machines.

“Learning a new way to manage work has helped me ensure the team stays productive.”

— Stacey

Were There Any Challenges?

Of course. Here’s what came up:

• Workload management in peak periods.

  “When we’re very busy, sometimes it’s tricky to manage the workload, but we always make it work.” – Stacey

• Planning around the week.

  “Trying to fit everything into the weekend... and forgetting I had a Tuesday sigh.” – Morena

But those were the exceptions. Not the rule.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely.

“Do it. Just do it. It truly helps in balancing work and life much better!”

— Morena

“It takes time to readjust and can feel frustrating at first, but the benefits are definitely worthwhile.”

— Stacey

We’ll keep refining how we work, because our goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to be present.

The 4-day week hasn’t changed who we are. But it has helped us work in a way that’s far more aligned with our values.

And that’s something worth protecting.