4C Health celebrates 2 years of 4-day workweek

'It's indisputable, the four-day workweek is a superior model for the behavioral health workforce.'

In September, 4C Health will celebrate two years of offering its employees a four-day workweek, which it shows no signs of stopping.

Under the model, employees work four days a week instead of the standard five days. They work 32 hours per week instead of 40, but receive the same pay and benefits.

"Time is the most valuable commodity we have in life, and for our current and future staff it was not a question of should we do this, it was a long overdue must," 4C stated in a press release. 

More than 90% of its employees work a four-day workweek. 4C Health says it has been very intentional in regular data gathering regarding the new work model over the two years and is excited to share the following outcomes:

• 94% of employees surveyed are happy with the four-day workweek and do not want to return to five days;
• More than 250,000 hours returned to employees lives outside of work over two years;
• 94% of employees surveyed report reduction in burnout;
• 91% of employees surveyed report positive life impact outside of work with the four-day workweek;
• 78% of employees surveyed report that working a four-day workweek has helped them and in turn improved the quality of care they are providing to others;
• 4C Health has had no negative impacts to access to services. In fact, it has created more access to care through same-day access while under a four-day workweek;
• Consumer surveys on perception of care has increased while under the four-day workweek to 4.2 stars out of 5;
• Total number of applicants and employees has increased;
• No negative impacts to business operations across two years.

“It's indisputable, the four-day workweek is a superior model for the behavioral health workforce," 4C Health CEO Dr. Carrie Cadwell said. "Over two years of collecting data, our outcomes have only gotten better each time. I have said since the beginning that a four-day workweek is not just a workforce model, it is public health intervention. 

"What future plans do we have at 4C Health around the four-day workweek? It’s simple, and that is to eliminate the five-day/40-hour workweek for the well-being of our staff and consumers.”

Letecia Timmel, LCSW, Senior Clinical Therapist shares, “I cannot brag enough about the four-day workweek and the positive impacts it has had on my quality of life. Every week, I have an opportunity to reset and refresh because of that extra day off, which allows me to show up the next week with the energy and enthusiasm I want to have in my work." 

She added: "The work we do is emotionally and mentally draining and it is exciting to work in an organization and environment that not only supports self-care but promotes it through action.”

4C Health is the only Community Mental Health Center and Behavioral Health employer to have achieved a four-day workweek at this scale and duration in the nation.

4C Health is also celebrating 50 years in North Central Indiana communities. To learn more about its 50th anniversary, a short video is available at https://youtu.be/s7Ua2HNk8E4?si=VMqtFDGRk79Rn608. To learn more about 4C Health, visit www.4CHealthIN.org.