Over 100 companies have adopted 4 day working weeks since the onset of COVID in 2020.
Staff work between 32 and 35 hours a week but are guaranteed to take home the same amount of money as they would if they were working Monday to Friday. The move reflects a changing mindset amongst bosses as they look to make their firms attractive to staff in the post-pandemic age.
Participating companies are certified by the 4 Day Week campaign group as committed to offering reduced hours with no loss of pay. The group says that over 2,600 employees have enjoyed the benefits of the scheme, with senior level execs such as Anwin CEO Adam Ross describing it as ‘one of the most transformative initiatives we’ve seen in the history of the company.’
‘Over the course of the last year and a half,’ he continued, ‘we have not only seen a tremendous increase in employee wellness and well-being but concurrently, our customer service and relations, as well as talent relations and retention also have benefited.’
In the last 18 months, the 4 Day Week campaign has accredited firms from areas as diverse as construction and marketing, to technology and retail.
The Director of the 4 Day Week campaign, Joe Ryle, said: ‘We want to see a four-day week with no loss of pay become the normal way of working in this country by the end of the decade.’
The Workers Union Says…
We applaud every company that has taken this initiative seriously. As long-time supporters of flexible working, we see the 4 day working week as a vital step forward in the battle to ensure that workers have the flexibility and support they need to balance work with home life effectively. COVID lockdowns exploded the myth that home workers, part time workers and workers that choose compressed hours are somehow less productive than other staff. Now it is time for companies in every sector of our economy to recognise this and put appropriate measures in the place.
