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Four-day workweek trial – did it work for all businesses?

In February the results from the UK four-day workweek trials were revealed. Mostly the results were very positive. But what about those businesses that didn’t benefit from the trial?

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Four-day workweek trial – did it work for all businesses?

In February the results from the UK four-day workweek trials were revealed. Mostly the results were very positive. But what about those businesses that didn’t benefit from the trial?

The trial included companies from a broad range of industries such as marketing agencies, financial firms, education services, and fish and chip shops.

The data found that 92% of employers said they would continue a shorter workweek after doing the trial. However, only 30% permanently changed to a four-day working week.

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    What are the positives to a four-day working week?

    Positives of the trial found that of almost 3,000 employees, 71% said that the feeling of burnout was reduced. Physical health and wellbeing were also improved.

    Further positives that the trial created was workers being able to spend more time with family, take more personal care and undertake hobbies.

    Employers said the shortened workweek has also increased productivity. One employer involved in the trial said “when people enjoy having an extra day off, that creates better work-life balance which, in turn, makes people happier and less stressed. And happier people perform better at work.”

    a worker serves at the till in a shop to a customer

    Why didn’t the four-day working week trial not work for all businesses?

    Although the trial worked well for many businesses, some struggled with the change. Several businesses stopped the trial as the format was too difficult to adapt to their working week.

    The shortened four-day workweek has even begun causing businesses who have continued with the trial problems. This only reflects a small sum of the partakers, however, it does show that a shortened working week isn’t an immediate solution.

    The data from the trial found that industries, especially those with a customer-facing setup were a bit problematic. Forming a more relaxed schedule for a four-day week means extra hiring costs. This makes it unaffordable for many businesses.

    These customer-facing businesses often face more challenges in maintaining four-day workweeks. One employer in the trial said, “some employees can work extended hours during the week to catch up in order to have that extra day off. But that’s not available to our contact centre team, who have clearly defined opening hours. Their work is heavily monitored with specific KPIs set by our funder that need to be delivered – currently, they can only make marginal gains.”

    What employers can take away from the 4-day working week trial is that the traditional nine-to-five isn’t working. And although all the businesses in the trial didn’t use the shortened working week model, there were still key findings and better ways of working proven.

    two employees work in a café during the four day working week trial

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    Although some businesses found the trial beneficial it’s clear that this way of working isn’t appropriate for all. Employers that tend to be less customer-facing could see advantages in working a shortened week. This would however mean amendments to current employee contracts.

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    Please speak to one of our HR and employment law advisors free at 0800 144 4050. Fill in the form here to request a callback.

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    FAQs

    We’re here to answer any questions you might have with expert ease.

    It was announced on 21 June 2022. More than 60 UK companies trialled the four-day workweek between June and December 2022.

    More than 90% of participating businesses have opted to continue the four-day workweek.

    Pros include less staff burnout and fewer absences, and it helps attract and retain talent.

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