Over 200 UK companies have adopted a four-day work week, boosting recruitment and employee satisfaction without pay cuts.
Scotland: A business in Scotland switched to a four-day work week. They found it easier to hire new staff since the change. Kirsten Dean, finance head at Melville, said employees were shocked at first. They thought it was too good to be true.
After a year, she said, “I don’t ever see us going back.” The 4 Day Week Foundation announced over 200 UK companies now use this model. They do not cut pay for employees.
These companies include marketing agencies, IT firms, and charities. Together, they employ over 5,000 people. The Foundation believes a shorter work week boosts motivation and helps employees live happier lives.
Melville manages over 2,000 rental homes in central Scotland. They checked tenant satisfaction and property letting times after the switch. While some tenants had concerns, customer satisfaction surveys showed no negative impact.
Dean noted the four-day week helps attract top talent. One officer even took a pay cut to join Melville. She said the extra day off is a big draw for applicants.
Having an extra day off means more family time. Dean enjoys spending a full day with her son. She believes it benefits mental health for her and her staff.
While many companies embrace this trend, some big firms are pulling back on flexible work. For example, Amazon now requires daily office attendance.
Critics call the four-day week lazy. The TaxPayers’ Alliance even started a campaign against it for public sector workers.
Brook, a charity running sexual health clinics in England, also offers a four-day work week. Sam Hepworth, their communications head, disagrees with the lazy label. He says their staff do challenging work and need extra time to avoid burnout.
To keep their usual hours, Brook adjusted shift patterns. They also made meetings shorter and less frequent. Hepworth shared that 86% of staff in a pilot program had a positive experience.
Most participants felt motivated, and nine in ten wanted to continue the program. After a successful trial in 2023, Brook decided to make the shorter hours permanent.
Hepworth concluded, “We decided it was a no-brainer to carry on.”
