UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL TRIAL’ IN MAY OF FOUR-DAY WEEK

The future of the working week could be changing as more British workers desire flexibility and a better work-life balance. According to new research from Reed. co.uk, 19% of those looking for a change in 2023 would stay with their current employer if they offered them a shorter working week.

This is compared to those who prioritise location (15%) or benefits (13%). Additionally, over half of Brits said they'd prioritize a company with good work-life balance when deciding between job offers. Come May, the UK will have its first unofficial trial of the four-day working week due to an extended bank holiday period. It will be interesting to observe how these changes may affect Britain's work culture going forward.

Simon Wingate, Managing Director at Reed.co.uk, said online: “At Reed.co.uk, we’ve seen the number of job advertisements offering a four-day working week rise since the start of 2023. However, we know that this is not something that will work for all roles or companies.”

He also added: “With the research revealing flexible hours to be the top priority for job applicants, we’re glad to see that the job offerings on our site reflect this, which we hope will lead to more people finding jobs that they’ll love.”

What are your thoughts on a four-day working week? Is this a viable option for you and your organisation?