The test of a four-day workweek in the UK will begin in June, with approximately 30 firms signed up so far. For many employees, the idea of working fewer hours without losing money is soon to become a reality.
The benefits of a four-day workweek have led discussions for years. But the debate has intensified since the pandemic sparked a statewide shift in how and where we work. It has now been revealed that a six-month trial of a four-day workweek would launch in the UK.
The experiment of a four-day workweek in the United Kingdom will begin in June. Firms will be participating in the six-month pilot. It will allow employees to work 32 hours per week while maintaining their pay and benefits.
4 Day Week Global is leading the trial in collaboration with Autonomy, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign. Along with, researchers from Oxford University, Boston College, and Cambridge University. Participants in the program will have to retain 100% productivity. But only 80% of the time since they will now have an extra day off each week.
“2022 will be the year that heralds in this bold new future of work”
“Moving to a four-day week would be a win-win for companies,” Joe Ryle, director of the Four Day Week Campaign in the U.K., said Tuesday in a phone interview. “Studies have shown that productivity improves along with corresponding gains in workers’ well-being.”
“We are excited by the growing momentum and interest in our pilot program and the four-day week more broadly.
Similar programs will launch in the United States and Ireland. There are plans for Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as well, according to Ryle.
In addition to focusing on productivity, researchers will analyze the program’s impact on the environment and gender equality, according to a statement released by 4 Day Week Global.
“The four-day week challenges the current model of work and helps companies move away from simply measuring how long people are “at work”, to a sharper focus on the output being produced. 2022 will be the year that heralds in this bold new future of work.”