Let’s be honest right away: the test is limited. It’s about 61 companies for a total of around 2900 employees employees across the UK. But the results are surprising and encouraging.
The vast majority of companies participated in the world’s largest test four days a week work week has decided to proceed with the new model, which obviously seems to be working. Of the 61 companies that conducted the semi-annual test, 56 extended the process and of these, 18 made it permanent.
Employee surveys conducted before and after the test show that 39% of employees say they are less stressed: 40% sleep better, 54% say it was easier to balance work and home. The number of sick days during the trial fell by about two-thirds and 57% fewer employees left the company compared to the same period last year.
And so far it’s been pretty predictable. But the most important result is this Productivity has not dropped: The The vast majority of the companies were satisfied with the course of business during the trial period. THE In fact, revenue has increased light: +1.4%.
During the trial, companies were offered workshops and mentoring to help them rethink their labor practices. Employees were given the opportunity to keep their previous salary and work four days instead of five. The findings are being presented to UK MPs today as part of a plan that urges policymakers to move towards the 32-hour workweek.
Joe Ryle, the director of 4 day week campaignhe called the process a important turning point: “Across a wide range of industries, employee well-being has improved dramatically, and business productivity has been maintained or improved in almost all cases. We’re very happy with the results and hopefully they show that it’s definitely time to roll out the four-day week more broadly.”
In the Rivelin roboticsbased in Sheffield, one of the companies involved that wants to continue the new approach, the Chief Product Officer David Mason said he hopes offering a shorter workweek will help future hires: “It’s certainly something that sets us a little bit apart from the average.”
Since last summer, the staff at Rivelin Robotics has been enjoying one three day weekend. David Alatorre, Chief Technology Officer, said, “We wanted to instill a culture within the company that puts well-being first and makes sure everyone is rested and has a good work-life balance.” The company, based in a bright industrial facility near the River Don produces robots that meticulously finish 3D printed parts for industries like aerospace and medical. In consultation with colleagues, it was decided to take Friday off and extend the working day on other days of the week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
There charity bank from Tonbridge, Kent, is another participating company that continues to have its 70 employees work only four days a week. The social lender opted to give people a Monday or Friday off, and the pilot provided them with what the bank’s CEO Ed Siegel calls “a crash course in productivity improvements.” “I would say for about two-thirds of our team it’s been great – it’s been incredibly successful. They have successfully switched to working four days a week and are loving it. It really shifted the mood and people are like, ‘Wow, that’s a great organization to work for.'”