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Have you trialled a 4-day working week?

Steve Bridger

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.

  • in reply to Robey
    We are a not for profit so for us it was all about maintaining performance and our services. Really encouraging results during the 6 month trial which gave us confidence to agree extension. We are just working on our success criteria for our second trial phase.
  • in reply to Robey

    Hi  ... well, I do have an update! Here at the CIPD we're preparing to undertake our own four-day week pilot and are finalising the details of this, with a view to sharing our findings later this year. 

    So to answer your question - yes, considering and actioning!

    We'll be happy to share more, of course... but a little further down the line as a few details are still TBC. You heard it here first.

  • in reply to Steve Bridger
    Excellent news, Steve. I think Peter made reasonable points about how the model will suit some businesses and not others and that we're a good way away from being able to confidently say that the 4-day week ought to be a default model. But there must be a risk that this position is used as an excuse by businesses to take a risk-averse position to the idea of a change of model. So hearing that the CIPD is prepared to proactively lead the way is very positive, regardless of the outcome.
  • Just some thoughts on the concept of a four day working week.

    - if the length of the working day remains the same e.g. 7.5 hours then reducing from 5 days to 4 with no change in salary requires a 25% increase in productivity - tough ask. The UK is already close to the bottom of the productivity league - could the economy take it?

    - if 5 day working hours are compressed into 4 then in theory no increase in productivity is required - although the perceived better work/life balance may lead to an expectation of increased productivity, the longer days may cancel that out.

    - if the business model allows it then Mon-Thu would be ideal, if it doesn't then any 4 from 5 (or 7 for many industries, including mine) may work.- with compressed hours.

    - It can work where the activities are not time bound - tough in for example a contact centre environment or where the activities coincide with fixed time events.

    - 168 hours in a week, 112 waking hours assuming 8 hours a night sleep. If we based it on a 40 hour five day working week with an hour a day travelling then the balance is 45 hours work/67 hours life - so there is already a reasonably healthy balance but if the work allows it then moving away from a typical 8 hours continuous work to 'any 8 hours' could provide any needed flexibility. FWR for reduced hours (at proportionally reduced pay) can give greater flexibility without the hit on productivity/profitability.

    In conclusion - am I against it in principle? No. But it does present huge, and in some instances insurmountable challenges. Also, for the record, I have spent my very long (I'm retiring this year) continuously working in 'for profit' private sector organisations and that will clearly influence my opinions through my lived experience.
  • in reply to Steve Bridger

    So the Govt has come out firmly against operating a 4-day week in local government - and by extension, the public sector.

    "The government is being extremely clear that it does not support the adoption of the four-day working week within the local government sector. Local authorities that are considering adopting it should not do so. Those who have adopted it already should end this practice immediately."

    https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-10-26/hcws1099

    Some data here in the response to the Govt from South Cambs DC

    Government says four-day weeks should 'cease immediately' _ Local Government Chronicle (LGC).pdf

    I'd be interested to hear of anyone in the sector currently experimenting with the working week.