Work 4 days a week? UK companies are adopting the model after 6 months of testing

92% of UK airlines will maintain a shorter journey model

Giovanna Soto

February 27, 2023 09:33 AM – Updated 2 hours ago

The 4-day working week has been tested and approved in the UK: 92% of the companies that took part in the pilot project, which ran between June and December 2022, will maintain the shorter working week format.

The project “The 4-Day Week Global” (Four days a week, with free translation) Testing the workday method included 2,900 employees from 61 operating companies in the country. In it, the professional receives 100% of the salary working 80% of the time, in return for committing to maintaining 100% productivity (a model that became known as the 100-80-100).

Companies of various sizes and sectors, such as education, banking, technology, human resources, retail and others, voluntarily participated in the tests. The final test report was published on the 21st, and it shows that the model has achieved high compliance and will be finally integrated by most companies.

Of the 5 companies that chose not to keep the business model, 2 decided to extend the trial period and 3 paused the project.

The average revenue of participating companies grew by up to 35% compared to the same six months of previous years. In addition, the number of professionals who left companies decreased by 57% during testing—a sign that a shorter-term business model can retain talent.

Among employees, 90% said they “definitely want to continue working” in a four-day-a-week format. The 15% bracket goes even further: They say there won’t be enough money for them to accept a next job within five business days.

Looking at well-being at work, 71% of employees say they have lower levels of stress Burnt (chronic stress related to a poorly managed workplace), 43% see an improvement in mental health, 39% feel less stressed, and 37% report some improvement in physical health.

The idea of ​​reducing work hours is to focus on productivity and have more time for leisure. Another proven effect occurred in the journey between work and personal life: 60% of employees reported that they were able to better balance work and responsibilities at home, including childcare.

In the report submitted this month, there is no mention of the negative side of the initiative. The preliminary document of the study, released in September 2022, indicated that some companies, especially those with more conservative cultures, are less flexible and have older leaders, and the method requires more effort to adapt.

The difference between a man and a woman

The tests are so positive because they “show stable results in workplaces of varying sizes, demonstrating that this is an innovation that works for many types of organizations,” says Juliette Shore, principal investigator and professor at Boston College.

Dale Whelihan, CEO, Inc “4-Day Week Global”, says that the sample produced differences by gender. While both men and women benefit from the four-day week, women generally experience better: they show more improvement in their levels. Burntsatisfaction with life and work, improved mental health, and reduced commuting time.

He said, “The burden of non-work duties appears to have ended, with more men doing a greater share of household chores and childcare during the four-day work week.”

4 business days worldwide

The project “4-DayWeek Global” Tested in several countries: there are 91 companies and about 3,500 workers in 6 countries (Australia, Canada, United States, Ireland and New Zealand, as well as the United Kingdom).

A new report of findings from Australia and New Zealand will be published soon. Companies from Brazil and South Africa are also undergoing tests. a Infomoney She contacted the consultant for the project for more details on running the project on national soil, but had not received a response as of this publication.

“The 4-Day Week Global” With support from global consulting firm Autonomy, as well as assistance from researchers from the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Boston College.