A salon owner is urging fellow businesses to give their staff four-day working weeks without a pay cut after noticing his employees were happier, healthier and more relaxed after he introduced the measure.

Now all of his full-time employees work four-day weeks for the same amount of money and his part-time staff members have had pay rises.

The only members of staff working more than a four-day week are apprentices, but they too will be offered the same benefit once they qualify.

Joel, who lives in Newport, says he's seen the benefits with his team having more energy and a boost in productivity.

Joel said: "Covid-19 has been incredibly stressful for industries like hairdressing but it’s highlighted some of the issues that have always existed – you can be in a perpetual cycle: work, food, sleep.

"People don’t always realise but working in hairdressing can be extremely draining. I’ve worked in salons where we were worked like dogs. 

"I’ve seen young people in the industry turn to drugs and alcohol because they’re exhausted and they don’t have the time to make changes to their life.

“Six-day weeks, back-to-back clients, moving from job to job because they have no time to think or plan what you’re going to do next.

"Anxiety is rampant in the industry and I’ve suffered with anxiety and depression and it can mainly be attributed to the amount of hours I was working. I got burnout."

Now he's encouraging other businesses to follow suit, which will be music to quite a few ears.

He went on: "This is simply a better, healthier way of working. I genuinely think we aren’t meant to work full-time – how many people do you know who are constantly overworked and unhappy about it? 

"When you have more time you can think about life in a different way. At work you’re likely to have more energy and fewer non-productive days.

"Outside work you can be a better person, a better parent, a better member of the community."

Joel believes that the four-day plans boost productivity and the salon's manager Chelsea Thompson definitely agrees.

She explained: "I live a 45-minute drive away from work so I’m commuting less and, when I’m in work, I’m definitely more focused.

"Since we’ve started the four-day week everyone says they’re happier. People feel well-rested, mentally prepared.

"That extra day is for me. I go for long walks, listen to a podcast, see friends who don’t have weekends off.

"It’s sad that society has got to the point where people feel like they’re working to live. 

"Time is precious – I really hope other workplaces follow and we can all start leading a more balanced life."