What the 4-day workweek reveals about HR flexibility and innovation

  • SuccessFactors
  • SAP

The modern workforce is evolving faster than many systems can keep up. Following COVID-19, the increased global shift towards hybrid working, flexible schedules and even the rise of the 4-day workweek, as seen in Iceland’s widely celebrated trials, organisations are being challenged to reimagine not only how they work, but how they support and manage that work.

By Ann Roby - SAP SuccessFactors Consultant at Delaware UK

A recent post on Remote.com explores how different countries are adopting the four-day workweek and what that means for employers and HR systems. Germany, Portugal, Spain, and the UK have conducted or are currently conducting pilot programs testing a shorter workweek. 


And while HR policies can lead the charge, without the right technology backbone, true workforce flexibility will remain aspirational. 

Why flexibility requires more than policy

Flexible work arrangements are no longer a “nice to have”, it’s becoming a competitive necessity to attract and retain talent. But flexibility isn’t just about allowing someone to log in from their pyjamas from home. It shapes how: 

  • Time is tracked 

  • Teams are formed 

  • Performance is measured 

  • Compensation is calculated 

  • Learning is delivered 

Traditional, rigid HR systems weren’t designed to handle these shifts. That’s why modern solutions like SuccessFactors are gaining ground. 

How SAP SuccessFactors supports flexible work 

Let’s break down how specific components of SAP SuccessFactors align with the needs of a flexible, modern workforce: 


1. Intelligent time management for life outside the usual 9–5 

SAP’s Time Management module has evolved to support flexible working hours, compressed workweeks, shift patterns, and dynamic scheduling. 

Key capabilities include: 

  • Rule-based work schedules for part-time or 4-day week models 

  • Mobile time entry for remote or field workers 

  • Integration with payroll to ensure accurate payment for flexible roles 

Source: Screenshot from SAP News, "SAP Introduces Industry-Leading Time Management Suite", September 2022. 


Dashboard

2. Performance management that actually moves the needle

In flexible work models, measuring hours worked becomes less meaningful. Instead, organizations focus on outcomes. 

SuccessFactors Continuous Performance Management enables: 

  • Ongoing feedback and goal alignment 

  • Real-time coaching 

  • Transparent progress tracking 

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3. Talent intelligence hub for skills-based flexibility 

SAP’s new Talent Intelligence Hub uses AI to match people with roles, learning, and development opportunities based on skills, not just job titles. 

This supports: 

  • Redeployment in changing business contexts 

  • More inclusive talent decisions 

  • Future-ready workforce planning 

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How we’re helping SAP customers get there 

At Delaware, we’re helping clients leverage SAP SuccessFactors to build HR systems that enable, not limit a workforce transformation. Your HR technology should never be the reason you say “no” to a new way of working. 

Here’s how Delaware empowers your organisation to make the most of a modern, agile HRIS: 

  • Adapt swiftly to market changes with SAP SuccessFactors configured by Delaware, allowing you to realign roles, teams, and structures without lengthy system overhauls. 

  • Personalise the employee experience by designing flexible onboarding, learning, and engagement journeys that evolve with your workforce. 

  • Streamline compliance by keeping your system current with the latest regulations, ensuring fast and accurate policy updates with minimal disruption. 

  • Gain actionable workforce insights through SuccessFactors analytics, empowering strategic planning, skills gap analysis, and future talent forecasting. 


    Spoiler alert: it works better than you thinkand no, you don’t need a wool sweater to survive the change. 


Future-proof your HR strategy 

The 4-day workweek isn’t just a trend, it’s a signal that the future of work is already here. Don’t let outdated HR systems hold you back. Get in touch today to discover how SAP SuccessFactors, powered by Delaware, can help you build a truly agile, people-first workplace.

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