UK has huge breakthrough in four-day working weeks as Brits call for policy to be introduced nationwide

It looks like there have been huge developments on the four-day work week situation.

Following a trial involving several UK companies, it seems that significant strides have been made on the long-suggested amendments to 9-5 life.

The theory is that a shorter working week gets more out of workers, and a longer weekend results in a better work-life balance and more rested employees.

Getty Stock Photo

More than half of project managers and CEOs involved in the four-day week trial reported that it ultimately had a positive impact on the organisation, as staff worked 100% of their output in just 80% of the time they would have usually.

In fact, 82% said this resulted in positive effects on staff wellbeing, while 50% found it reduced staff turnover, with 32% claiming that improved job recruitment.

Almost half admitted that working and productivity improved, in what was the first ever trial of the working week in the country.

As a part of the world's biggest ever four-day working week trial, 61 organisations took part in the six-month long study, where employees got the coveted three days off work that we all dream of, bringing that end of week pint a day closer.

Following this pilot that took place in 2022, 54 (89%) companies were still operating the policy a year later, with 31 (51%) making the permanent change to the four day working week.

Getty Stock Photo

Companies involved simply reduced working hours by 6.6 hours in the week, reaching a 31.6 hour week, with most giving staff one full day off a week and scattered half days.

According to 96% of staff, their personal life had benefitted, while 86% claimed that they performed better at work.

It's a huge breakthrough for the country, as the report's author, professor of sociology at Boston College, Juliet Schor highlighted that results revealed 'long-lasting effects'.

She also said: "Physical and mental health, and work-life balance are significantly better than at six months. Burnout and life satisfaction improvements held steady."

However, director at the Confederation of British Industry, Matthew Percival emphasised that not all companies would benefit from the layout, and that many industries wouldn't be able to afford to do that.

“If businesses have the budget to add to their offer to employees, then they will be considering the relative merits of reducing working hours compared to increasing pay, pensions or paid parental leave, as well as better supporting health and wellbeing," Percival explained.

The report, written by the thinktank Autonomy and researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Salford and Boston College in the US, insisted that benefits found during the trial have continued a year later, though acknowledging that they were only picking from a small sample size.

Getty Stock Photo

Successful organisations in the study outlined their four-day working week clear to employees and re-designed policies, preparing meticulously to adapt work processes, according to authors.

Some challenges included working with clients or stakeholders that were still following the Monday-Friday schedule, or where the policy wasn't implemented clearly, disgruntling staff.

The Scottish government launched a four-day working week trial for some public services in February 2024, signalling another step in the direction of the re-structured working weeks.

Higher-ups at successful companies in the study highlighted that employees benefitted from the shorter weeks, with productivity increasing, but that managers would need to be better trained to deal with the new structure if it was permanently introduced.

Despite this though, a government spokesperson stated: “We have no plans to introduce a four-day working week.

"Ultimately it is for employers and employees to agree what working arrangements work best for them, and we will be making changes to our flexible working legislation in April, including the right to request flexible working from day 1 of a new job."