Many American workers have been exhausted more than a year after the Covid-19 pandemic.

It may be possible to find a solution. four-day workweekAccording to Eagle Hill Consulting, the answer is “Yes.”

According to the survey, 53% reported feeling burnout. Younger workers and women are more likely to experience it, at 62% and 56%, respectively. A full 83% of respondents said that a shorter workweek would be beneficial. A random sampling of 1,010 employees from across the U.S. participated in the survey.

“Employee burnout has been simmering for years — and the twin problems of the pandemic and workforce shortage have exacerbated the problem,” said Melissa Jezio, president and CEO of Eagle Hill Consulting.

The idea of having a weekly workweek that lasts four days is not new. It has gained ground slowly since the Covid-19 epidemic. In July, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., introduced a billThis reduces the workweek’s average time to 32 hours from 40.

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In the meantime, employers are seeking ways to improve efficiency while still meeting the employee needs. Bolt, a technology company founded in September, started a 4-day work week. Earlier this year, New York-based crowdfunding site Crowdfunder launched. Kickstarter announcedIt would be tested in 2022.

This latter participant is part of a worldwide effort called 4 Day Week GlobalThis has led to companies trying a reduced workweek. Up to 15 U.S. businesses and Canada companies have signed up for the pilot program that will run for six months. It is expected to kick off next year.

This is not about reducing work hours but productivity and pay.

Joe O’Connor from 4 Day Week Global, Global Pilot Program Manager, stated, “We’re shifting the model of work away form measuring how much time you spend at your desk or at the office and moving it towards what are people actually producing” and “We’re changing that toward what are people really producing and what outcomes we’re trying achieve over the course a week.”

The “Great Resignation,” In which a Record 4.4 million people quitA four-day workweek might give employers an edge in hiring for September, experts suggest.

A 2019 Henley Business School report found that 63% of UK businesses believe it’s easier to retain and attract talent if they work four days a week. This study found that 78% are happier with a 4-day work week.

O’Connor stated that companies who have achieved this success aren’t saying “These are the changes we need to make,”

“They gave their people the freedom to develop ideas and solve problems to make sure we achieve the same outcome in just four days, rather than five.”

Banks Benitez (co-founder, CEO, Denver-based Uncharted) did exactly that when he tried out Uncharted’s four-day week. The priorities were revised and meeting times were reduced or canceled.

He stated, “It has served as a strong forcing function to us to think different. It is like having a smaller luggage on vacation.” There are always tradeoffs.

Eagle Hill Consulting’s Jezio says that an evaluation of a 4-day work week is part of larger strategic discussions about the intersection between an organization’s mission and its staff.

She noted that it may not work for everyone, especially those working in hospitality, public safety, and medical fields.

Jezio explained that the American culture has had a 5-day work week for nearly a century. And it’s not easy to change.

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Disclosure: Comcast Ventures and NBCUniversal are both investors Acorns.