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Over 200 UK Companies Permanently Adopt Four-Day Work Week

Firms report improved hiring, employee satisfaction, and productivity with no loss of performance.

Office worker
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Some employees who still enjoy hybrid mode facilities have been fighting back the 'back-to-office' mandates.
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Overview

  • More than 200 companies in the UK, employing over 5,000 people, have transitioned to a four-day work week with no reduction in pay, according to the 4 Day Week Foundation.
  • Organizations across diverse sectors, including marketing, IT, consulting, and local government, report maintained or improved productivity and employee motivation.
  • Scottish housing association Melville and England-based charity Brook have seen benefits such as easier recruitment, better mental health for staff, and sustained service quality.
  • South Cambridgeshire District Council, the only UK council to adopt the policy, saved £400,000 on agency staff and maintained service standards, prompting interest from other local authorities.
  • Critics argue the policy is impractical for some sectors, but proponents highlight its potential to address work-life balance challenges, particularly in education and manufacturing.