We last discussed this a couple of years ago, and we learn today that nearly all of the companies that took part in the world’s largest trial of the four-day week have decided to continue with the new structure of the working week, The Guardian reports.
Of the 61 companies that entered the six-month trial, 56 have extended the four-day week, including 18 who have made it permanent.
The findings will be presented to MPs [today] as part of a push urging politicians to give all workers in Britain a 32-hour week.
In total, about 2,900 employees across the UK have taken part in the pilot. Surveys of staff taken before and after found that 39% said they were less stressed, 40% were sleeping better and 54% said it was easier to balance work and home responsibilities.
The number of sick days taken during the trial fell by about two-thirds and 57% fewer staff left the firms taking part compared with the same period a year earlier.
Also, a BBC News piece here.
At CIPD we published this report last autumn, and covered the topic in this insightful podcast.
What do you think?
It would be particularly interesting to hear from anyone working at one of the trial settings - or from anyone looking to take this step.
