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A four-day working week is perfect – that’s according to the latest trial of shorter working weeks by British companies, with 100% of the 17 participants continuing with a shorter working week.
These trials are organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation, with results tracked by academics at Boston College. The last run of trials back in 2022 featured 61 companies, with 92% continuing with a four-day week after their pilot.
That high bar has been bested by the most recent pilot, which included 17 companies with 950 workers, the campaign group said. All companies offered reduced hours with no loss of pay, while 12 companies offered a four-day week and five chose a nine-day fortnight.
Though the perfect results are somewhat the result of self selection – all the organisations chose to test out this idea, suggesting they were already in favour of it – it’s worth noting some are merely extending their existing trial. Three organisations have already made the move permanent.
“With greater knowledge, expertise and experience of what it takes to successfully implement a four-day week, we’re really pleased to see such a high success rate,” said Joe Ryle, Campaign Director of the 4 Day Week Foundation. “People are happier, businesses are thriving, and there’s no turning back.”
The reduced hours setup proved win-win for businesses and staff. The companies in the trial all managed to maintain service levels and other key performance indicators, while some reported fewer resignations and sick days. One company said its revenue jumped 129% during the trial.
For employees, six in ten reported a drop in burnout, four in ten said their mental health was better, and 45% said they were more “satisfied with life”. A third said they had less stress, 40% said they had better work-life balance, and 43% felt less fatigued. Previous trials have shown similar successes.
“We’ve closely monitored our performance and customer satisfaction,” said Alan Brunt, CEO of Bron Afon Community Housing. “We’re happy with the results so far and will continue to make sure we’re delivering for our customers.”
Another company said the trial sparked innovation in working practices that has benefited customers – and helped double financial performance. “The trial’s been an overwhelming success because it has been the launchpad for us to consider what constitutes efficiency and the ability to focus on the things that really matter to our business and customers,” said Geoff Slaughter, CEO of technology company BrandPipe, which has since made the change permanent.
The 4 Day Week Foundation said it was recruiting companies for another trial later this year. That said, given the success rate, perhaps it’s time to stop with the trials and make fewer hours the norm. Last year, a poll showed six in ten Brits want shorter working weeks without a loss of pay.
The campaign group called on the UK Government to start the shift to a shorter week by working with unions and industry. Surely it’s also worth thinking about how shift workers could be brought into the fold along with the impact on schools, with some calling for flexible education.
“We’ve proved it again and again: a four-day week works and should now be implemented more widely across the economy,” Ryle added.
Brunt predicted that would happen soon: “I expect that most organisations will be doing this in the next ten years or so.” For the sake of work-life balance, mental health, and time for family, friends and hobbies, here’s hoping he’s right.
