Four-Day Working Week On The Cards For Three Million UK Workers

Almost a fifth of companies in the UK are considering bringing in a four-day working week after the pandemic.

It would mean three million employees would benefit from the new move, as businesses look at how to be more flexible post-lockdown, according to the findings of Autonomy, a thinktank specialising in the future of work.

Be The Business, a charity that focuses on productivity in the workplace, ran a survey which found 18 percent of UK companies are thinking of moving to a shorter working week.

The hope is that it would boost productivity, but it seems that some are already on to it.

In fact, five percent of small and medium-sized businesses - 300,000 in total - are ahead of the game and already have a four-day week.

PA

It comes after the news that IG Metall, Germany's biggest trade union, agreed a 2.3 percent wage increase which is to be paid either in full or as part of a switch to a four-day week, meaning that 3.9 million engineering and metalworkers will be making the move.

Covid is largely to thank for the increase in popularity of a shorter week.

Joe Ryle, a campaigner with the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: "In the same way that the weekend and the 40-hour week was won nearly a century ago, the time has now come for a four-day, 32 hour working week for all.

"The Covid pandemic has effectively killed off the 9-5, 5-day working week."

Will Stronge, Director of Research at Autonomy, said: "All the evidence shows that moving to a four-day week is a win-win for both employers and workers - and this is why we're seeing increasing adoption across sectors.

"The best way to create a better world of work after Covid is by addressing how we work at the shop floor level. Going for a four-day working week would bring huge benefits to workers' mental health, which directly feeds into firm performance."

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The Spanish government approved a national level pilot of the scheme last month.

It's an optional initiative and it's open to all companies who are willing to take part.

Deputy Prime Minister, Pablo Iglesias, said in December that he would look into the proposal put forward by left-wing party, Más País.

Iñigo Errejón of Más País praised the move on Twitter, writing: "With the four-day work week (32 hours), we're launching into the real debate of our times. It's an idea whose time has come."

While specific details are yet to be confirmed, companies that trial the scheme will reportedly have costs covered at 100 percent for the first year, falling to 50 percent for the second year and 33 percent for the third.

Topics: UK News

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. She spent a few years working on festivals and events. Soon realising you can't pay your bills with guestlist, she went back to her roots. In her spare time, Amelia likes music, Liverpool FC, and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

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