Two hundred UK companies sign up for permanent four-day working week

Two hundred British businesses have agreed to adopt a permanent four-day working week for their workforce, with no reduction in earnings, marking a major milestone in the push to rethink Britain's standard working hours.

The combined workforce of the companies numbers over 5,000 individuals, with charities, marketing organisations and technology businesses being prominent, as per the Foundation for the 4 Day Week's latest findings.

Joe Ryle, the foundation's campaign director, declared that the traditional "9 to 5, five-day working week, which was created a century ago, has outlived its usefulness. We are significantly late in modernising this system."

With "50% more free time, a four-day week allows people to live happier, more enjoyable lives", he added. "As numerous British companies and at least one local council have already demonstrated, a four-day week without any reduction in pay can be beneficial for both workers and their employers."

Organisations in the marketing, advertising and public relations sector took the lead with 30 implementing a four-day week for their staff. This was closely followed by 29 non-profit bodies, charities and social care companies, and 24 technology, information technology and software businesses. Twenty-two organisations in the business, consulting and management sectors also offered a four-day week to their employees on a permanent basis.

To date, approximately 200 businesses have confirmed their pledge to adopt four-day weeks, with proponents arguing that such a change encourages businesses to not only gain, but also hold on to employees, resulting in enhanced productivity by producing the same quality of work in fewer working hours. upto this point, London-based organisations have exhibited the greatest enthusiasm in this area, accounting for 59 of the total number of businesses.

However, it marks a growing divide in the culture war over working styles which were turned upside down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to now, many employees have been fighting for the right to continue working from home, never mind reducing their working hours.

Lloyds Banking Group is also considering whether senior staff are meeting their office performance targets

After the company's chief executive demanded that thousands of employees visit its offices more often.

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Research carried out by Spark Market Research finds that younger employees are the most likely to object to conventional working hours. Approximately 78% of those between 18 and 34 years old in the UK believe a four-day working week will become the standard in five years, whereas 65% have stated they do not wish to see a return to full-time office-based employment.

Managing Director Lynsey Carolan from Spark stated, "The 18-34 age group, who will be the main workforce for the next 50 years, are clearly expressing their intentions that they do not wish to return to traditional working arrangements."

“This group also state that their mental health and overall wellbeing are their foremost priorities, therefore, a four-day working week is a highly significant benefit crucially facilitating their overall quality of life.”

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