Companies are in the midst of a truly experimental era, where 9-to-5s are obsolete and the four-day workweek has come into focus.

In fact, the shift to a shorter work week has made international waves unlike any other modern workplace trend. For instance, the UK is currently piloting a six-month experience where 70 businesses operate on a four-day workweek with no loss in pay.

Similarly, Atom Bank shifted to a four-day workweek in 2014 with no reduction in pay, which “has been a huge success” according to chief people officer Anne-Marie Lister.

In addition to no loss in productivity, the bank says it is seeing an increase in job applications, while employees are less stressed and more engaged.

These success stories should be a lesson for companies struggling with the post-pandemic restricted society, where keeping employees engaged is difficult and retaining them is even harder.

Flexible work arrangements have been linked to improved work culture and employee experience, with employees gaining more freedom in their schedule, reducing stressful commutes and making a work-life balance achievable.