The biggest four-day week pilot to take place anywhere in the world has begun and organisers are working alongside university researchers who will measure the impact on productivity and the wellbeing of staff. More than 3,000 workers at 70 UK companies will begin a four-day week with no loss of pay in a trial lasting six months.
Firms taking part will take part in the 100:80:100 model – which means that workers will get 100% of their pay for only 80% of the time but must commit to maintaining at least 100% of productivity.
Joe O’Connor, chief executive of organisers 4 Day Week Global, said: “The UK is at the crest of a wave of global momentum behind the four-day week.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, more and more companies are recognising that the new frontier for competition is quality of life, and that reduced-hour, output-focused working is the vehicle to give them a competitive edge.
“The impact of the ‘great resignation’ is now proving that workers from a diverse range of industries can produce better outcomes while working shorter and smarter.”
Organisers of the four-day week trial point to previous company trials as evidence that shorter hours can benefit both companies and their employees. It brought environmental benefits too: electricity consumption fell by 23 per cent, and staff used 59 per cent less printer paper.
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