&samhoud introduces four-day work week

Consulting boutique &samhoud is making an innovative leap by becoming the first in its sector to implement a four-day work week. As of January 1, all 120 employees have Fridays off while maintaining their full salaries. This decision stems from the belief that more rest and reflection lead to greater innovation, creativity, and impact. The introduction of the four-day workweek is made possible by fully leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) as a driving force behind higher productivity and customer value.

“The four-day workweek is more than just a change in working hours,” says Ingrid Smolders, CEO of &samhoud. “It’s a new way of working that allows us to deliver more value to our clients. AI plays a crucial role in this: thanks to this technology, we can work not only more efficiently but also more intelligently.”

A Forward-Thinking Model for Enhanced Customer Value

The four-day workweek aligns with the philosophy that has been the foundation of &samhoud for 35 years. “We believe that maximising the attention and development of our people leads to better performance for our clients,” explains Smolders. “The traditional five-day work week does not always maximise productivity, quality, or innovation. From our experience in change and leadership, we know that rest and reflection are essential for breakthroughs. For us, introducing the four-day workweek is a logical step.”

Not only employees but also clients stand to benefit from this restructured workweek. Smolders adds: “I expect that the value we provide to our clients will increase because we can work on solutions with more focus, energy, and creativity thanks to the extra weekend day. At the same time, I also anticipate that our revenue will remain stable or even grow. Through productivity gains, we can deliver greater impact within existing projects and support more clients effectively.”

AI and the Four-Day Work week: A Perfect Synergy

According to Smolders, AI and the four-day work week complement each other seamlessly. “A shorter work week would not be possible without AI. We automate time-intensive tasks, freeing up employees to focus on strategic and creative work. At the same time, the four-day work week motivates our staff to embrace AI even more. Even those who were initially less enthusiastic now see the benefits. It’s truly a win-win.”

Currently, more than 75% of employees use AI daily, saving an average of 2.5 hours per week. Tools like the in-house developed Interview Analyzer play a significant role in this efficiency. “Previously, two consultants conducted interviews, followed by a time-intensive analysis by a team. Now, a single consultant conducts the interview, and AI generates an initial summary based on our models. This not only saves time but also improves quality. AI has become an integral part of our processes,” says Smolders.

Smarter Work Processes and Behavioural Change

In addition to AI, &samhoud has developed a change approach to further optimize work processes. This includes more efficient meetings, a smarter redistribution of internal time, and fostering awareness of behavioural changes among employees. “We help our teams work smarter and more effectively without compromising quality. This requires not only new tools but also a culture of continuous improvement at the organisational, team, and individual levels,” Smolders explains.

A Free Friday for Growth and Social Impact

Research conducted by &samhoud shows that 98% of employees desire a new balance between work and leisure. The free Friday provides space for personal and professional growth, such as pursuing education or hobbies. Some employees use this day to care for their parents, while others engage in community work. Smolders highlights: “Some colleagues spend their Fridays volunteering at hospices or food banks, while others use the time to pursue further education.”

Research into Success Factors

&samhoud is conducting extensive research into the impact of the four-day workweek on employees, clients, and the organization. “We not only want to prove that it works but also learn what is needed to make it work. We hope to inspire other organizations to explore the best structure for their workweeks. We evaluate not only internally but also gather feedback from clients and employees’ partners to gain a comprehensive understanding of how this change affects work-life balance and overall happiness,” Smolders states.