Lifting the Lid on the 4 Day Week

More than 70 UK organisations joined the?4-Day Week trial, which started in June 2022, managed by 4-Day Week Global. CEO of 4-Day Week Global , Joe O’Connor, stated: “Essentially, the participants are laying the foundation for the future of work by putting a four-day week into practice.” 41 of the organisations have taken part in a recent survey in which 86% responded that they would continue with the 4-day week policy after the trial ends. Could a 4-Day Week Become the norm?

So How Effective Is The 4-Day Week?

• 63% of businesses found it easier to attract and retain talent with a 4 day week
• 78% of employees with a 4 days week are happier and less stressed
• 86% of respondents at this part in the trial would be ‘extremely likely’ or ‘likely’ to consider retaining the 4-day week policy after the trial period.

These results show a positive response and shift in favour of the 4-day week schedule. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that the 4-day week might not benefit all and some organisations have reported concerns.

Some organisations that administer a more traditional approach within their structure have concerns that the shift to a 4-day week schedule is ‘trickier’.?Some of the companies taking part in the trial scheme have found it a struggle – largely because working on a different operational model to the vast majority of businesses in the UK has thrown up obstacles. "The rest of the world not doing 4-day weeks makes it challenging,” one Managing Director added.

With diverging attitudes towards the 4-day week, it’s just a matter of time before this trial period will end. More objections to the 4-day working week could pop up in the weeks before the trial ends and it’s important that the scheme continues to be judged on its own merits.

After all, long hours don’t equate to productivity – despite British workers working some of the longest hours in Europe, output per hour worked by UK employees is among the lowest of all the G7 countries, according to data published by the ONS.

New research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has revealed that a third of companies expect most workers to be on a 4-day week within the next 10 years. Though only 1% of companies said they would move to a shorter week and maintain staff wages. The major sticking point is the need to increase productivity by a substantial 25%?to make up for the output lost from fewer days of work.

So, with several months still to go before the scheme ends. The jury, for now, remains out on its success. You can find out more about the pilot and how its working across various sectors by visiting - https://www.4dayweek.com/

MD Comment

There’s no doubt there are gains to be made for organisations and its staff if they can transition to a four day week. For many organisations particularly in the service sectors breaking down the anchors of the 5 day week may take some time and may only be achieved with government support or incentives. Gains can still be made with the 4 day week philosophy without closing the doors on day 5, for example, trials in the US which staggered a strict 4 day working pattern across its workforce to allow for a full 5 day service operation saw gains in productivity, hiring success and retention. As with many new concepts there are creative ways to apply the principles without disrupting the fundamental operation of the business.