Four-Day Working Week – Is it Here to Stay?

In 2022, we saw the emergence of the four-day working week, with a huge buzz for the initiative across the UK. With 4-Day Week Global spearheading the initiative and 33 companies initially participating in a trial, the first six months proved to be a resounding success. The numbers were staggering. Not only do all 33 companies not plan on returning to the traditional 5-day working week, but the majority of the 1,000 employees (70%) said they would need a significant pay rise to consider their previous hours again. With 27 companies in a survey giving the six-month trial an average rating of nine out of ten, could more follow, so it becomes the norm after more than a century of five-day weeks?

Why is There a Clamour for a Four-Day Working Week?

With every century that passes, the UK population not only grows but evolves as businesses and employees find new ways to work. For instance, only one century ago the six-day week was standard practice. Workers would only have Sundays off as manufacturers expected a high turnover of products to meet demand, which was in place at the height of the industrial revolution in the 18th century lasting many decades. As workers grew tired of burnout, despite the government’s best efforts to continue this pattern, the weekend was introduced in the early 1900s, following trade union strikes and campaigns to have more time off.

While this proved popular initially, fast forward another hundred years to the present day and all the talk is about reducing it further to a four-day week. And why not? We have witnessed an astonishing increase in life expectancy (more than doubled since 1900) and the birth of technology, which is now an extension of our daily lives. Despite great strides, as we’ve evolved, high levels of stress, exhaustion and panic remain, with recent events such as the Covid pandemic and inflation worrying the UK public. With that in mind, businesses are see

king new ways to keep employees motivated, content and satisfied. One way to improve the quality of life and keep work productivity high is by reducing work hours. But is this possible, keeping the same salary for employees and not impacting the business?

How Did the Four-Day Week Trial Impact Businesses?

Following the six-month trial, nearly all businesses reported great results across different areas. Recruitment was easier as the four-day week appealed to so many. Fewer staff had sick days and employees spoke of benefits including better sleep, life outside of work and reduced stress levels. All of these factors for employees will contribute to the success of a business. After the rise of companies introducing remote policies as standard practice following the pandemic, could we see the same for four-day weeks following the trial? Countries such as Spain and Belgium have followed suit with similar initiatives. Scotland and Wales are also talking about introducing trials. The early challenge is the initial adjustments to a new way of working.

After all, it’s a big change to go from a 40-hour week to 32 while keeping the same pay. How does a business operate with communication from clients that are used to them being available Monday to Friday? Can employees produce the same amount of work, each providing 8 hours less per week and get the same results?

The Benefits of a Four-Day Working Week for Businesses

• Happier staff
• Better retention of employees
• An attractive proposition for future candidates
• Potentially greater productivity in the workplace
• Less sick days
• Reduces the pressures on staff with childcare
• Better work culture and atmosphere

Could a Four-Day Week Be Implemented Nationwide in All Industries?

The idea is a great one, it would be like Christmas 365 days a year with everyone on a high. Having what feels like a bank holiday weekend every week is the dream for any employee, but only if they get the same pay and have reduced hours. Some companies have tried to pack the same amount of hours into four days but that may cause just as much burnout. And what needs to be considered is whether all businesses can maintain the same output, productivity and results from only four days a week.

While it may work for a marketing firm or technology company (the bulk of the current companies trialling four days), how would it work for a supermarket or construction site? While the UK government may believe it’s not feasible for the economy overall, they no doubt thought the same about ending the six-day week. Further trials and a larger variety of businesses need to test the four-day week to see whether it’s something that can be implemented nationwide on a grander scale.