The UK recently kicked off what is anticipated to be the world’s largest four-day work week experiment.
Over 3,300 UK employees across 70 companies recently moved to a shorter work week with no decrease in pay to see how productivity, job satisfaction, and retention may be impacted.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, more and more companies are recognizing that the new frontier for competition is quality of life,” said Joe O’Connor, CEO of nonprofit group 4 Day Week Global. “Reduced-hour, output-focused working is the vehicle to give them a competitive edge.”
Research into this arrangement has become a necessity during an era of high demand for short work weeks, and both pros and cons are expected to be extracted from the data.
More specifically, a survey from recruitment firm Reed found that the top perks of a four-day work week includes: better morale, less absences, and improved recruitment.
However, the survey also noted the negatives that can emerge from this arrangement, such as: impact on industries that require an in-person presence, employee preference for more standard work models, and increased costs.
Overall, understanding the nuances of a shorter work week will help business leaders incorporate a model that is best suited for their operational needs, while giving employees preference in their daily arrangements.
