UK companies taking part in the four-day work week trial say it isn’t working and might even be cut short.
The Telegraph reports that 3,000 employees across 70 companies have experienced ‘rota chaos’ and extreme confusion with the shorter workweek in place.
Head of communications company Unit, Samantha Losey, told the outlet that the trial had seen a ‘bumpy’ start.
She said: "It's more likely that we won't carry on now.
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"One of the things that has struck me is whether or not we are a mature enough business to be able to handle the four-day week.
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"The rest of the world not doing four-day weeks makes it challenging.
"We agreed we'd go all the way through the pilot, but I'm questioning whether this is the right thing for us long term. It's been bumpy for sure."
The Daily Mail reports that Media boss Claire Daniels also said the trial had complicated hiring as she cannot confirm to potential employees if the short work week will last beyond the trial.
She said: “The only challenge is in recruitment currently as we cannot guarantee that we will continue the four-day week pilot scheme.”
In June, thousands of workers became a part of the six-month trial introduced by non-for-profit 4 Day Week Global.
The idea is relatively straightforward; employees will still receive 100 per cent of their salary but for only working 80 per cent of the hours.
The four-day work week is said to boost ‘business productivity, worker health outcomes, stronger families and communities, challenge the gender equality issues’ to create a more sustainable working environment.
Pilot programme manager for 4 Day Week Global Joe O’Connor told The Independent: “More and more businesses are moving to productivity-focused strategies to enable them to reduce worker hours without reducing pay.
"We are excited by the growing momentum and interest in our pilot program and in the four-day week more broadly.
"The four-day week challenges the current model of work and helps companies move away from simply measuring how long people are ‘at work’, to a sharper focus on the output being produced. 2022 will be the year that heralds in this bold new future of work."
While the trial has copped a wave of criticism from UK participants, some have found it to be ‘life changing'.
While speaking to CNN Business, lending services manager at Charity Bank, Lisa Gilbert. called the program ‘phenomenal’.
"I can really enjoy my weekend now because I've got my Friday for my chores and my other bits and pieces or... if I just want to take my mum out for a walk I can do that now without feeling guilty," she said.
Charisa Bossinakis