More than 200 UK companies have made the permanent switch to a four-day working week with no loss of pay.
Companies that took part in the initial trial found that a four-day week reduced staff turnover, improved recruitment, and increased productivity.
The companies range from marketing agencies, IT firms and consultancies to those in the charity sector and collectively employ more than 5,000 people.
Campaign group the 4 Day Week Foundation said traditional five-day working patterns are ‘no longer fit for purpose’.
“With 50% more free time, a four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives,” said Joe Ryle, the foundation’s campaign director.
A new poll by Spark Market Research suggested that 78% of 18 to 34-year-olds believe a four-day working week will become the norm within five years, while 65% said they do not want to see a return to full-time office working.
Spark managing director Lynsey Carolan said that “18 to 34 (year-olds), the core workforce of the next 50 years, are making their feelings known that they don’t intend to go back to old-fashioned working patterns.
But could your business manage a four-day week?
The feasibility of a 4-day week varies widely depending on the industry sector and individual businesses.
According to the Government’s Open Access research has shown that 80% of workers in the IT and telecoms sector see the 4-day work week as realistic, but only 55% of those in education feel the same. Workers also reported high levels of pessimism regarding the feasibility of a shorter week in manufacturing (41%), human resources (38%), and travel (37%).
It found: There are two key questions businesses need to ask to ensure a 4-day work week is realistic for them: Can all roles be performed with flexibility that isn’t detrimental to business performance? And how much further can productivity be improved to support the required flexibility?
Clearly it isn’t going to work for all businesses but could it for yours?