Four-Day Workweek Stalled - Labour Distances Itself from Policy

A shorter workweek faces a setback as the newly elected Labour government throws cold water on the idea, despite pressure from unions and activists. This comes as the 4 Day Week Campaign pushes forward with a nationwide pilot program later this year.

Labour faced calls to adopt a four-day week as official policy during the recent election.?However,?the party Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds,?has distanced itself from the proposal,?highlighting it's not currently on the agenda.?This stance contrasts with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn,?who championed a 32-hour workweek in the 2019 manifesto.

Proponents like the 4 Day Week Campaign argue the current five-day week,?established a century ago,?is outdated.?They believe a four-day week with no pay cuts can benefit both workers (reduced stress,?improved well-being) and employers (increased productivity,?lower absenteeism).

The campaign is urging companies to participate in a pilot program starting in November.?This initiative will explore alternative working patterns beyond a four-day week,?including flexible start/finish times,?compressed hours,?and nine-day fortnights.

The 2022 pilot,?involving over 3,000 employees and 61 companies,?produced positive results.?Participants experienced fewer sick days and even reported revenue growth.?However,?some companies trialling a four-day week in 2024 have faced employee pushback due to fatigue from compressing working hours into fewer days.

Labour has expressed support for companies experimenting with shorter weeks if it suits their needs.?Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner encouraged businesses to consider the 2022 pilot results,?questioning why not adopt a four-day week if it improves performance.?Similarly,?Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has also voiced support for shorter workweeks.

The future of a four-day workweek in the UK remains uncertain.?While the Labour government has shown some openness to the idea,?the lack of official backing creates a hurdle.?The upcoming pilot program will likely play a crucial role in influencing policy decisions and industry adoption.