Most Employers Consider Compressed Working Week Pilot a Success
A six-month pilot study on the benefits of a four-day working week has recently concluded. 92% of participating employers have said they will continue with the new working pattern.
What Was the Pilot About?
The pilot recruited more than 60 employers to trial a four day working week. Under the trial, workers received 100% pay for 80% time. They committed to maintaining at least 100% productivity despite the reduction in their working hours. The purpose of the trial was to explore the benefits of a compressed working week, both in terms of employee satisfaction and retention, but also in respect of productivity and commercial benefit for participating employers.
What Were the Results of the Trial?
61 employers participated in the trial. 56 of them have extended the four-day working week, and of these 18 have made the change permanent. The researchers running the trial have identified "extensive benefits" for employee wellbeing, productivity and business performance during the trial. Of particular interest is the fact that sick days fell by around two-thirds during the trial, and 57% fewer staff left the participating employers, compared with the same period in the previous year.
Private Members' Bill
A Private Members' Bill was put forward last year, under which it proposed the maximum working week should be reduced from 48 hours to 32 hours per week. The Bill is due its second reading at the House of Commons on 17 March. This will provide an opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill.
