Today (4 November) marks the start of the first official four-day pilot under the Labour Government. The findings will be presented next summer.
The application period for the latest pilot project, which is run by Timewise and the 4 Day Week Campaign, , opened in summer. Since September, participants have attended training sessions and workshops to learn how to manage the shorter work week.
The pilot will allow 17 companies with around 1,000 employees to run a four-day work week, or a nine day fortnight. (Which means workers receive an additional day every two weeks) without any loss in pay.
In 2022, the organisation conducted its first pilot where 60 companies tested out new working arrangements. 54 of the 56 participants still worked four-day workweeks 18 months after the pilot.
According to the 4 Day Week campaign, almost 200 British companies have permanently switched to a 4-day work week.
Flexible arrangements have led to increased productivity, improved employee satisfaction and a better ability to recruit new employees for employers who have made the switch.
Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week campaign, said that it is not necessary to imagine a 4-day work week, as this has already become a reality in the UK for hundreds of companies and tens thousands of employees.
We look forward to sharing the results of the latest trial with the new Labour Government next summer.”
A survey conducted by Hays in May found that over half of employees were tempted to accept a new job if offered a four day week.
Some employers, however, have been criticized for accepting the offer.
Lee Rowley, then the local government minister at the time, was furious about a trial conducted by South Cambridgeshire District Council and asked that the local authority stop the experiment immediately.
According to an analysis by the Universities of Cambridge and Salford, the council trial showed improvements in 11 of 24 areas. There was little or no change for 11 areas and a worsening of performance in only two areas.
Academics from the University of Cambridge and Boston College, as well as the Autonomy Institute, are tracking the trial of the 4 Day Week Campaign.
The British Society for Immunology and Crate Brewery, located in Hackney in east London, are participants in the trial.
Georgia Pearson, manager of Crate Brewery said: “This trial is a bit groundbreaking for the hospitality industry. Physically demanding service shifts may mean that operational teams spend their off days recuperating rather than taking time to relax.
We’ve never had a problem with retention but we recognize the competitive advantage of a four-day work week. This will help us recruit, especially in the support office. This is a chance to reimagine how we work, to be more focused, efficient, and structured, while also offering team members the benefits of a reduced working week.
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