four-day working week

Survey shows companies overwhelmingly support four-day working week

Scheme demonstrates positive results at halfway point of six-month trial

The majority of companies who have taken part in a trial of the four-day working week have stated they will likely keep the policy past the six-month trial period.

A survey has shown that at the halfway stage of a trial whereby employees will work a four-day working week has shown overwhelming support for the scheme with 88% stating it has worked well and 86% stating they would continue the four-day week after the trial period has ended.

Over 70 companies and 3,300 workers are involved in the trial that began in June. These included a range of industries. 41 companies responded to the survey.

The trial was organised by 4 Day Week Global, who are in partnership with Autonomy. The group comprises of researchers whose aim is to introduce a 32-hour working week with no reduction in salary.

Kyle Lewis, co-director of Autonomy, stated:

“The positive feedback is incredibly encouraging” and the survey could “support other organisations and sectors considering switching to a four-day week in the future”.

The survey also showed that 46% of business said productivity was “around the same level”, 34% said there was a “slight” improvement, and 15% a “significant” improvement.

Some of those surveyed expressed positive thoughts on the scheme, such as Sharon Platts, chief people officer for Outcomes First Group, who provide care for young adults. She stated:

“The four-day week pilot has been transformational for us so far. We’ve been delighted to see productivity and output increase and have also been able to make it work in our education and care services, which we thought would be far more challenging.”

Nicci Russell, managing director of Waterwise, also endorsed the scheme, despite some transitional problems. She claimed:

“It wasn’t a walk in the park at the start, but no major change ever is. Some weeks are easier than others and things like annual leave can make it harder to fit everything in, but we’re much more settled with it now. It’s been great for our wellbeing and we’re definitely more productive already.”

Claire Daniels, who heads Trio Media digital marketing agency, has claimed that the company’s revenue has risen by 44% since starting the trial. She stated 20% of the original working week was spent doing unnecessary work, such as reading unimportant emails and travelling to meetings. She said:

“You get a day back just by eliminating that.

It sounds counterintuitive that if you give people more time off they will output more.

I’m going to extend the trial. Six months isn’t that long, but so far it has been a success.”

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