IELTS Task 2 model essay: A four-day working week would benefit both employers and employees

The question

A four-day working week would benefit both employers and employees. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Essay type: Opinion (agree or disagree). Write at least 250 words in 40 minutes.

The plan (5 minutes)

• Paragraph 1: In recent years, several companies and countries have experimented with a four-day working week.
• Paragraph 2: For employees, the advantages are clear.
• Paragraph 3: Employers can also benefit.
• Paragraph 4: However, the model does not suit all industries.
• Paragraph 5: In conclusion, I believe a four-day week can benefit both sides in many workplaces, particularly office-based roles, by improving wellbeing and produc.

Model essay (255 words)

In recent years, several companies and countries have experimented with a four-day working week. I largely agree that this arrangement can benefit both employers and employees, although it is not suitable for every type of business.

For employees, the advantages are clear. An extra day off gives people more time to rest, spend with their families and pursue hobbies or study. This can reduce stress and burnout, which are major problems in many workplaces. Workers with caring responsibilities, such as parents of young children, may find it much easier to balance work and family life.

Employers can also benefit. Trials in several countries have reported that productivity stayed the same or even improved when staff worked fewer hours, because employees were more focused and took fewer sick days. A four-day week can also make a company more attractive to talented applicants and help it keep experienced staff, reducing the high cost of recruitment and training.

However, the model does not suit all industries. Hospitals, emergency services and many retail businesses need staff available every day, so they would need to hire more people or arrange complex rosters, which could increase costs. Some employees might also feel pressure to complete five days' work in four, leading to longer and more stressful working days.

In conclusion, I believe a four-day week can benefit both sides in many workplaces, particularly office-based roles, by improving wellbeing and productivity. However, it should be introduced flexibly, with each industry adapting it to its own needs rather than following a single rule.

Why it's a band 7+ answer

• Task Response: every part of the question is answered, with a clear position from the introduction to the conclusion.
• Coherence and Cohesion: 5 paragraphs, each with one main idea, linked naturally (however, moreover, in my view, in conclusion).
• Lexical Resource: precise topic vocabulary and collocations, without forced "big words".
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with very few errors.

Your turn

Write your own answer to this question in 40 minutes, then paste it into the free IELTS writing checker for an estimated band on all four criteria. For more practice questions, see the 60 IELTS Task 2 questions.