Four-day-week trial results

The four-day-week 6mth trial results are published today, and it has proved to be a success amongst many businesses that took part. 

61 companies took up the trial in the UK and 56 of those intend to continue with the four-day week at least in the short term and 18 companies are making the change permanent. 

There has been a positive impact on work-life balance for staff but critically for the companies concerned their productivity was unimpacted and in many cases improved. Other areas of the business such as staff retention, recruitment and absenteeism also improved greatly. 

However, the transition has not been without its challenges. Staff adjusted very quickly to the change and there is now an expectation that this is the norm. Many have said that they would require a salary increase to go back to a five-day working week. Other working situations proved difficult such as accounting for bank holidays (leaving a three-day week), staff missed team socials after work on Fridays and managing cover / holidays was also harder 

- Information taken from Raconteur article dated 21st February 2023 by Sam Forsdick. Further information can be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64669987