In a groundbreaking move, Croatian company Stillvil has implemented a four-day workweek, defying industry norms.
The brainchild of Vanja Šuvak, Stillvil’s owner, this initiative was born from the growing challenge of attracting and retaining skilled employees.
While flexible working hours are common in the tech sector, Šuvak’s company, which provides services for forklifts, requires hands-on physical presence.
After months of deliberation, the solution came in the form of a creative split between teams—one enjoying a Friday-Monday break, the other taking the weekend and Monday off.
The result has been unexpectedly positive. Despite initial concerns of pay cuts, employees embraced the change, buoyed by salary increases and the promise of extra leisure time.
The benefits are clear: employees are more punctual, focused, and productive. With fewer days in the office, productivity has surged, a result that has surprised even Šuvak.
His gamble has proven that a shorter workweek, even in a hands-on service industry, can drive both worker satisfaction and operational success.