Most of the firms that participated in the world’s largest four-day week trial are operating a shorter working week one year on, a new report shows.
In all, 61 organisations took part in the UK trial. Of those, 54 are still operating the policy (89%) and 31 have made the change permanent.
When asked about the effects of a shorter working week, 82% of surveyed companies reported positive impacts on staff wellbeing, with half recording reduced staff turnover.
Critics of the four-day week have questioned whether the positive impacts reported in four-day week trials can be sustained long-term. Juliet Schor, professor of sociology at Boston College, which led the UK trial, said that the new research suggests they can be.
“Overall results have held and, in some cases, have even continued to improve,” she said. “Physical and mental health, and work-life balance are significantly better than at six months. Burnout and life satisfaction improvements held steady. Job satisfaction and sleep problems nudged down a bit, but the bulk of the original improvement remains.”
Image: Alistair Macrobert
