The UK’s Four-Day Working Week Trial: How’s it going?

In June the UK began the biggest four-day working week trial in the world, consisting of over 3,000 employees across over 70 companies. During this trial, employees are working one day less while still receiving their full pay. Employees must maintain their commitment to keep up their productivity levels that would usually be seen during a 5-day week.

The typical working week in the UK is longer than many other countries. Research has shown the average weekly hours worked by the UK workforce is higher than the EU average of 40.5 hours a week in 2019.

The Office of National Statistics has previously found that the UK’s productivity levels per hour are lower than the US and France. The average productivity output across the other G7 countries (excluding the UK) was 13% higher than the UK in 2019.

There have been many success stories with the four-day working week trial taking place in the UK so far.

Atom Bank, based in North-East England said their trial has been “overwhelmingly positive” for improving employees’ productivity and job satisfaction. They also found that recruiting and retaining staff was easier, and that there was no negative impact on customer service ratings.

There’s been a 49% increase in applications for roles at Atom since they introduced their shortened working week.

Meanwhile the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Advertising Agency Mox London, said taking part in the trial was the “best business decision” he has ever made.

Previous four day working week trials in Iceland amongst public-sector employees resulted in a “dramatic increase” in worker wellbeing. Afterwards, more than 80% of the country’s workforce negotiated shorter hours.

In 2019, Microsoft trialled the 4-day week in their Japanese offices and found the shortened work week led to more efficient meetings, happier workers and a 40% boost in productivity.

It also led to a reduction in electricity use in the building, less staff absences and fewer pages of paper printed.

However, the four-day week trial happening in the UK has caused some concerns. Some companies, including Managing Director of the communications company Utility, who are involved in the current trial, have reported difficulties with handovers as different employees take different days off due to the shortened week.

Obviously a shortened working week might not work for all business models. In some cases, if employers seek to hit the same performance targets as before but in less time, staff could be forced to work four longer days to make up time, equally the four day week could end up with rushed jobs or require the company to hire additional employees to bridge gaps from having the extra day off.

Could this mean that the benefits of offering workers more free time will quickly disappear?

The campaign 4-Day-Week, claims that having a four day working week would benefit workers, employers, the economy, our society and our environment.

They believe a four-day working week would help to improve people’s work-life balance, help businesses to attract greater talent by allowing more flexible working approaches, increasing productivity and workplace motivation, improving the countries overall mental and physical health, reducing the carbon footprint with less time commuting, and improving the economy through the tourism sector due to increased leisure time.

There is still plenty of time to see whether trial could be the future way of work or not. The trial is due to run until November/December 2022. Although so far it’s largely been a success, there have still been many bumps in the road.

Do you think the four day working week could be the future of work for the UK? Would a shortened working week work for your company or the company you work for?