A large-scale test of the four-day week in the UK, carried out between June and December 2022, has largely convinced companies that have experimented with it, according to findings published on Tuesday. They intend to continue the four-day week.
More than 60 companies took part in this experiment, which enabled nearly 3,000 employees to work one day less per week while retaining the same salary. The test was organized by the association 4 Day Week Global, with the universities of Cambridge and Boston College in particular.
The results ‘show that almost all companies will continue with the 4-day week following the trial’, with more than nine in ten saying they are certain to continue, according to a press release. Only 4% of companies say they are certain to stop.
Stable revenue
Companies were not penalized by these lighter weeks: revenue remained stable on average during the experiment (+1.4% during the trial), even posting an increase of 35% compared to the same period of 2021, as well as fewer quits, absenteeism or new hires, according to the researchers.
The study further finds ‘significant improvements in physical and mental health, time spent exercising and overall life and work satisfaction’, with rates of stress, burnout and less fatigue, and less sleep problems.
Initially, 70 companies had registered to participate in this project, but nine gave up before the start, specify the organizers, most often because the company did not feel ready enough.
Experiments with the four-day week have multiplied recently in Europe, but also in the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia and New Zealand.
/ATS
