The world’s largest trial of a four-day working week has been hailed a hit – with a lot of the corporations concerned saying they might proceed providing a shorter week.
A complete of 61 corporations throughout a number of sectors within the UK have been concerned within the pilot, which ran for six months from June final yr.
Employers had to ensure there was no discount in wages for employees who took half in trialling a 32-hour week.
At least 56 out of the 61 corporations which took half mentioned they plan to proceed with the four-day working week, together with The Royal Society Of Biology primarily based in London.
Chief Executive Mark Downs mentioned productiveness had elevated.
He added: “There’s been a decline in the number of sick days taken during the period of the trial.
“Before the trial, on common, every particular person would take 4 or 5 sick days per yr – that is right down to lower than two.
“I think it’s a substantial difference.”
Other corporations concerned within the pilot have had comparable experiences.
Research carried out by the University of Cambridge and Boston College discovered that the variety of sick days taken by the two,900 employees within the trial fell by about two-thirds.
Also, 39% of workers mentioned they have been much less careworn.
Tessa Gibson, a senior accreditation officer on the Royal Society of Biology, mentioned she wouldn’t wish to return to a five-day week – including: “Weekends can be quite hectic, so it has been quite nice to have that extra day to see your friends and family, and then you get that extra day off during the week to do all your chores or to have that time to relax.
“It has made a giant distinction to my psychological well being.”
The COVID pandemic has meant that employers are having to find more flexible working arrangements in order to attract and retain staff, but not all businesses think a four-day week is the solution.
Jay Richards is the co-founder of Imagen Insights, which helps brands gather feedback from young people.
He said a four-day working week often leaves employees feeling like they have to squeeze more work into fewer days.
“I feel a four-day week sounds good in precept however in apply what number of corporations are going to have the ability to assist workers’ wellbeing if they’re going from a standard five-day week and cramming that down into 4 days?
“We do a five-day week but we work 10am to 4pm, we shorten the days so the employees have that work-life harmony but they’re not actually shortening their week, which I think would put more pressure on them.”
The findings of the pilot scheme might be introduced to MPs on Tuesday 20 February.
Source: information.sky.com”