Atom bank, an app-based British lender reveals its four-day working week is a huge success. The program is helping improve job satisfaction and productivity levels. Here’s more on the trial.
Four-day working week: A huge success
Durham-based Atom bank‘s four-day working week trial has been “overwhelmingly positive” for the employees. Additionally, it did not lead to a negative impact on the bank’s customer service rating. The bank staff had the option to move from five days long 37.5 hours work week to 34 hours spread over four days. Their salary remained the same.
”We firmly believe the four-day week is the future of working life and it is encouraging to now see the range of businesses across the UK embracing the four-day week trials,” stated Anne-Marie Lister. Lister is the chief people offer at Atom.
“We are a progressive bank and a progressive employer, and our experience in planning for and moving to a four-day week has shown that it is possible for businesses to do this and bring huge benefits to their people,” she explained. “We also believe most organizations can move to a four-day week and we hope Atom’s experiences will encourage more businesses to make the shift permanently,” added Lister.
Four-day working week: What are the results of this trial?
As per the bank’s research, applications for jobs at the bank this year increased by 49 percent.
92 percent changed the way they worked so they could get things done and enjoy the three-day weekend, and 91 percent of employees were able to do all the work required in four days. Moreover, 91 percent of the bank employees were successful in finishing all their work in the shorter work week. Additionally, the bank also noted a decrease in days lost to sickness. (societyofrock.com) Employees reported spending their extra spare time exercising, volunteering, or spending time with their children.
“While we appreciate a four-day working week will not be right for all workplaces. The move to working from home has proved that working practices that may have seemed years away can be introduced rapidly. We are also proud to be one of the first businesses to introduce a four-day week for all our employees. And we hope many others follow suit. COVID-19 causing vast numbers of people to reconsider how they want to live their lives. Anything that leads to more productive, healthier, and, crucially, happier colleagues, is a win for everyone,” stated the company.