Saudi AI firm pioneers four-day work week with full salaries
Riyadh-based artificial intelligence and customer experience company Lucidya has become the first private entity in Saudi Arabia to implement a four-day working week, without cutting salaries or extending daily hours.
Riyadh-based artificial intelligence and customer experience company Lucidya has become the first private entity in Saudi Arabia to implement a four-day working week, without cutting salaries or extending daily hours. This decision, aimed at boosting employee well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction, signals a significant shift in the region’s corporate culture.
Abdullah Asiri, CEO of Lucidya, told our correspondent, “At Lucidya, we have been embracing unconventional work methods since our inception in 2016. We were early adopters of remote working and eliminated traditional time-tracking systems. Our philosophy centers on achievement rather than hours logged. We believe productivity is not constrained by working hours but by individual achievements.”
The transition to a shortened work week, which launched in August, was rolled out initially in two departments. According to Asiri, the change has already led to increased enthusiasm and task completion, without any decline in performance. “We have noticed increased enthusiasm and task completion since implementing this system, with no decline in performance,” he noted.
Lucidya, which operates in the AI, customer experience, and marketing technology sectors, serves major corporations and government entities across 11 countries. With a team of around 150 employees, the company has long championed output-based performance over rigid work hours. The four-day week allows employees to enjoy an extended weekend, offering them Thursday through Saturday off, a particularly welcome benefit for those commuting from different cities.
“We believe a flexible working environment fosters innovation and creativity. Our team deserves full trust and support to achieve even greater successes,” Asiri emphasized.
Despite potential concerns over maintaining client service standards, Asiri reassured stakeholders that the transition would not impact customer service. “This shift will enhance our commitment to service standards and continuous support,” he said.
Asiri credits Lucidya’s existing work culture for facilitating the shift, noting that the company has long focused on productivity through automation and output-based performance. “We have moved beyond the need for physical presence in the office or adherence to fixed daily hours. What matters is the quality and quantity of work delivered, regardless of where it is done,” Asiri said.
While it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions, initial feedback from employees has been overwhelmingly positive. “Beyond the obvious elation, we have seen a surge in employee pride. They appreciate the company’s tangible efforts to create an exceptional work environment, not just empty promises,” Asiri said.
In a forward-thinking move, Asiri also committed to transparency, promising to publish a comprehensive report on the impact of the four-day week once sufficient data is gathered. He believes the company’s trust in its employees will pay off. “When employees feel genuinely comfortable in their workplace, their dedication and output naturally increase,” he added.
Lucidya’s initiative is a pioneering step in the Kingdom’s private sector, and if successful, it could inspire other companies to adopt similar models, potentially reshaping the future of work in Saudi Arabia.
