ThredUp CEO Says Four-Day Workweek Will Stay After Productivity Gains

ThredUp CEO James Reinhart said the company will keep its four-day workweek after employee satisfaction, retention, and creativity increased following the change. Reinhart introduced the policy during the pandemic. He said productivity rose and typical retention metrics went through the roof when employees gained control over their schedules.

When other companies began returning to five-day office schedules, Reinhart decided to make the four-day week permanent at ThredUp.

Malissa Clark, a professor of psychology at the University of Georgia, cited research from the four-day workweek global movement. She said well-being metrics rose, burnout and turnover fell, and revenue increased in most participating companies. Clark added that 96 percent of employees in those trials wanted to continue the four-day schedule.

Reinhart said the policy gives ThredUp an advantage in hiring. He stated that exceptional employees will prefer working four days a week at the company rather than five days elsewhere.

Reinhart said rested and happy employees are more creative. He noted that workers returning after a three-day weekend avoid spending the first hours of the week readjusting to tasks. Clark said the four-day model requires a genuine reduction to 32 hours rather than compressing 40 hours into four days.

She said the best ideas often come during non-work time and called for using AI-driven productivity gains to reduce work hours.