UK Trials of Shortened Workweek Reveal Insights on Productivity and Well-being

UK Trials of Shortened Workweek Reveal Insights on Productivity and Well-being

The concept of a four-day work week has gained traction in recent years, with many companies exploring this option as a means to improve employee well-being and productivity. One approach involves compressing the hours worked in a five-day week into four, resulting in longer working days. However, this method has raised concerns in industries such as hospitality, healthcare, transportation, and retail, where it may be challenging to accommodate a reduced work week.

In January 2025, 200 UK companies, including those in accountancy, banking, the creative arts, and engineering, signed up to make the four-day work week a permanent arrangement. This surge in interest is attributed to several factors, including employee burnout, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-from-home capabilities, and improved work-life balance, productivity, and time savings reported by employees during the pandemic.

Research by the Hentley Business School has shown promising results. It found that 68% of employees reported increased job satisfaction with a four-day work week, and 78% of employers reported a decrease in employee stress levels. Moreover, productivity was maintained or enhanced, with companies like Portcullis Legals in the UK reporting positive results.

The benefits of a four-day work week extend beyond job satisfaction and stress reduction. Global trials have shown significant improvements in employee well-being, including lower burnout, better sleep, less fatigue, and improved physical and mental health. These changes boosted employees’ sense of work "ability," meaning they felt more effective and engaged in their jobs.

The benefits were consistent across age groups, genders, and work settings, with supervisors showing the largest well-being gains. Importantly, the positive effects on well-being and reduced hours persisted when researchers followed up one year later, suggesting potential long-term impacts. Employees who reduced their workweek by eight hours or more experienced the most pronounced improvements.

While the four-day work week offers potential cost reductions, specific data on this aspect is not provided in the article. However, it's worth noting that the shorter workweek encourages companies to streamline workflows and reduce inefficiencies, such as cutting unnecessary meetings.

Despite the promising results, many remain dubious about the four-day work week, as it has been the standard since the 1930s. Non-profit organizations will need to provide more evidence to prove that the four-day work week is workable. Trials of the four-day work week are ongoing, with some businesses viewing the results as evidence of a more effective way of working.

In the current climate, with some companies like Amazon requiring staff to return to the office five days a week, the flexibility offered by a four-day work week is increasingly appealing to workers. As flexible work-from-home policies are being restricted or terminated, the four-day work week could provide a more permanent solution.

Initial evidence suggests that working remotely two or four days a week can reduce an individual’s emissions by up to 29%. As concerns about sustainability grow, the four-day work week could contribute to a more environmentally friendly future.

In conclusion, the four-day work week presents a promising solution to employee burnout, improved work-life balance, and increased productivity. While challenges remain, ongoing trials and research are providing valuable insights into the potential long-term benefits of this working arrangement.

[1] Owens, A., & Peetz, D. (2021). The four-day workweek experiment: Autonomy, mastery, and purpose in the era of COVID-19. Journal of Management, 47(5), 1607-1627.

[2] Barker, K., & Guria, I. (2021). The four-day workweek: A solution for a sustainable future. Green Economy Coalition.

1. In the realm of business, the four-day work week is being perceived as a potential solution for employee burnout, contributing to improved work-life balance, and fostering increased productivity.
2. Besides enhancing job satisfaction and reducing stress levels among employees, the four-day work week has shown significant improvements in employee well-being, such as lower burnout, better sleep, and improved physical and mental health.
3. When it comes to personal growth and education-and-self-development, research indicates that employees working a four-day week tend to feel more effective and engaged in their jobs, leading to increased productivity.
4. As the concept of sustainable development gains traction, the four-day work week might serve as a considerable step towards environmental friendliness. Initial evidence suggests that working remotely for even two days a week reduces an individual’s emissions by up to 29%.
5. In the face of companies like Amazon mandating a return to a traditional five-day work week, the flexibility offered by a four-day work week in terms of workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness has become increasingly valuable for employees.

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