U.K. Four-day Workweek Trial Reduced Turnover By 39%

More stories for you

U.S. Planned Layoffs Plummet 53% In November, But Still Outpace 2024 Levels

11 hours ago

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Fall To Three-Year Low Amid Mixed Labor Market Signals

11 hours ago

U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services Makes It Harder For Federal Employees With Disabilities To Work Remotely

11 hours ago

Boomerang Generation Sees One In Three Young Workers Moving Home, Struggling With Pay And Career Credibility

11 hours ago

A 15-month trial of a four-day workweek introduced by South Cambridgeshire District Council in the U.K. has revealed overwhelming benefits in favor of the reduced workweek. 

Launched in January 2023, the largest U.K. public sector trial was designed to evaluate whether a shorter working week could maintain or improve productivity without cutting employee wages, and for the most part it did.  

Advertisements

During the trial, university researchers analyzed 24 areas impacting the workplace — including mental health and employee motivation — and found a shorter workweek improved performance in 11 out of the 24 areas. Another 11 areas remained with little or no change, and only two areas experienced worsened performance.  

One of the standout findings was that staff turnover decreased by 39%, which is reported by The Guardian to have saved the council £371,500 ($476,980) primarily from reduced agency staff costs.  

Advertisements

The four-day workweek trial also boosted job applications. The findings revealed that external applications for roles within the council also surged, and Business Insider reports 76% of the applicants cited the four-day workweek as influencing their decision to apply. 

However, the trial was not entirely without its downsides. The project observed a slight decline in rent collection from social housing and a minor increase in the average number of days required to re-let housing stock. 

Despite these minor setbacks, the trial’s success is evident and encouraging. The data shows that organizations and businesses that embrace a four-day workweek could potentially attract top talent and improve employee satisfaction and performance compared to their old work models.  

The U.K.’s positive findings could prove to be influential in the wider global adoption of a four-day workweek as countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Germany explore similar trials.  

Advertisements

Advertisements