MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH AS FIRMS IN TRIAL STICK WITH CHANGES

A critical key to improving employee wellbeing and productivity could lie in a four-day working week, according to an expansive trial conducted by the University of Cambridge. Out of the 61 companies in various sectors that took part in the study across June and December last year, 2,990 participants reported feeling less stressed (39%) and having lower levels of "burnout" (71%). The results have been echoed by one particular company that participated: The Royal Society of Biology. Their Chief Executive noticed improved productivity levels within its staff; which coincided with an average decrease in sick days from four to five per person per year, down to less than two. The comprehensive trial highlights that there's evidence suggesting a potential shift to a four-day working week should be seriously considered for future years.

Tessa Gibson, a senior accreditation officer for the society said it ‘made a big difference to her mental health,” and that she wouldn’t want to go back to a five-day week.

She said: “Weekends can be a pretty hectic time for the best of us, from housework that needs to get done, to the laundry pile that never seems to get smaller and for those who have children, weekends can pretty much be a write off as a time to relax. But a four-day working week allows workers an extra day to get stuff done, giving them at least part of their weekend back.”

However, not everyone is a fan of the idea, Jay Richards who is the co-founder of Imagen Insights explained how a four-day week can leave workers feeling like they have to get more done but in less time. Explaining his reasoning he said: “We do a five-day week but we work 10am to 4pm, we shorten our days so the employees have that work-life harmony but they’re not actually shortening their week, which I think would put more pressure on them.”

While some may not agree or like the idea, 92% of the companies who took part in the study have expressed their intent to continue with the four-day week now the study has finished, and 18 of them are making the change permanent.