Only four days’ work with full pay: after a six-month pilot project in Britain, the majority of the companies involved want to stick with the concept. 56 of the 61 employers want to keep the four-day working week, 18 even confirmed that the concept has already been definitively introduced.
This is evident from an analysis published on Tuesday by researchers from Boston and Cambridge. They supervised the project scientifically and conducted in-depth interviews with those involved. “Before the project started, many wondered if we would see an increase in productivity to offset the reduction in working hours – which is exactly what we found,” says Brendan Burchell of the University of Cambridge. According to the analysis, the turnover of the companies involved increased by an average of 1.4 percent during the test phase in the second half of last year.
Less stress, fewer sick days
Absenteeism fell by about two thirds (65 percent) during the test period and the number of employees who left the company during this period fell by more than half (57 percent). About four in ten employees reported feeling less stressed than before the start of the project.
Participants from all sectors
Companies from the financial sector, IT and construction, but also gastronomy and care took part in the British project. The companies involved employ a total of around 2,900 people. Some companies rolled out a three-day weekend, others spread employees’ days off over the week or linked them to goals.
Other countries are also experimenting with the four-day working week, including Ireland, Iceland, Belgium and Australia. Some German and Austrian companies are also testing similar models.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
