World’s Largest Four-Day Workweek Trial To Commence In UK

Ever since the start of the pandemic, many of us have become accustomed to a new era of hybrid working—be it from the comfort of our home offices or a mix of spending time in the office and collaborating with partners on Zoom.

Joe O’Connor, CEO of 4 Day Week Global, feels that workers have emerged from lockdown with different expectations of a “healthy life/work balance,” and that the clock can’t be turned back on a traditional five-day working week. 

As such, over 3,000 employees spanning across 60 companies in Britain will soon begin trialing a four-day workweek in what’s believed to be the largest pilot project to have ever been attempted in the world.

In fact, this go at examining the prospective employment pattern is larger than a previous program in Iceland that saw more than 2,500 workers take part.

The scheme, which will see workers report to work one day less per week from June to December, will include businesses from all walks of life, ranging from a medical devices firm in Manchester to a fish and chip shop in Norfolk. 

According to The Guardian, the program is spearheaded by the minds at Oxford and Cambridge, in collaboration with America’s Boston College, 4 Day Week Global, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign, and thinktank Autonomy. 

During the campaign, researchers will work with businesses to note the impact of the reduced hours on employees’ productivity, well-being, environmental impact, and gender equality in the workplace. 

As per Euronews, workers participating in the project will continue to receive the same pay for fewer hours as part of the 100:80:100 model, in which they earn 100% of the pay for 80% of the time with a commitment to maintain 100% productivity. 

Fingers crossed the results of this study, along with similar pilots taking place in the US, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, could set the new standard of employment for the millions of office workers around the world.

[via The Guardian and Euronews, cover image via Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com]