Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Nine in ten companies give thumbs-up to four-day week trial, will make it permanent

UK trial is part of pilots happening in the US, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Nine in ten companies give thumbs-up to four-day week trial, will make it permanent

Almost nine in ten companies participating in the four-day working week trial has said that they plan to make the arrangement permanent as productivity has improved, according to reports.

According to a mid-term survey, 88 per cent of respondents said it was working well, while 86 per cent said they were likely to consider maintaining the shorter working hours.


More than 70 organisations, ranging form local fish and chip shop to larger companies in various sectors have signed up for the trial, which started in June.

The six-month UK trial is part of pilots happening in the US, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

It is being run by 4 Day Week Global, a not-for-profit group, in partnership with Autonomy, the think tank, researchers at Boston College and the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as well as the 4 Day Week Campaign, a body lobbying for a 32-hour working week with no reduction in pay.

As many as 41 companies covering more than 3,300 workers responded to the survey. About 78 per cent of respondents said that the move to a shorter week is a good one. Forty-six per cent said that productivity had been maintained at the same level.Thirty-four per cent reported a 'slight' improvement in productivity and 15 per cent said that they noticed a significant improvement.

A case study as part of the trial has revealed that revenues rose 44 per cent in the early months of the trial at a business that had £450,000 sales last year.

“The four-day week pilot has been transformational for us so far. We’ve been delighted to see productivity and output increase and have also been able to make it work in our education and care services, which we thought would be far more challenging," Sharon Platts, chief people officer for Outcomes First Group, a specialist care provider for young adults, told The Times.

According to Joe O’Connor, chief executive of 4 Day Week Global, UK organisations were laying the foundation for the future of work by putting a four-day week into practice.

“We are learning that for many it is a fairly smooth transition and for some, there are some understandable hurdles, especially among those that have comparatively fixed or inflexible practices, systems or cultures dating back well into the last century," he was quoted as saying by media outlets.

A similar trial was done by a UK-based app-based lender Atom bank in August. It found out that the four-day working week improved productivity and job satisfaction.

Employees were given a choice to move from 37.5 hours spread over five days to 34 hours spread across four days without a salary cut.

About 92 per cent changed their way of working and 91 per cent of employees were able to finish their work in four days.

More For You

modi-bjp-reuters

BJP supporters celebrate in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

Modi's BJP wins Delhi assembly election after 27 years

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that "development had won" as his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in Delhi’s local elections, ending a 27-year gap since it last controlled the capital’s legislature.

"Development has won, good governance has won," Modi said after Delhi’s former chief minister, a key opposition leader, conceded defeat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less