Rumblings of a four-day work week being brought in as part of the UK government’s new workers rights package are causing a stir across the country.

Rumours have been circulating that businesses will be forced to accept worker requests for a four-day work week as part of new ‘Make Work Pay’ plans to be announced next month. The UK’s education minister, Baroness Jacqui Smith, however, has denied that this will be imposed on businesses, suggesting that employees could be given the option to work fewer days through “compressed” work hours.

Speaking on LBC Radio, the minister said that compressing work hours and offering flexible working is “actually good for productivity”, enabling people to attain a better work life balance, spend more time with families, and encourage more people into the workplace.

Other measures being explored as part of the Labour government’s new policies include:

  • Day-one rights — protections, sick pay and parental leave available from day one
  • ‘Right to switch off’ — a new code of practice agreed with employees
  • Banning fire and rehire
  • Banning zero-hour contracts
  • Protections for new mothers
  • Creation of a Fair Work Agency

Earlier this year, businesses across the UK were invited to take part in a new trial of a four-day working week in the autumn, with campaigners hoping to encourage the Labour government to back the movement.

The new trial follows the major success of a six-month pilot in 2022, which saw a host of benefits in employee wellbeing, and 56 of the 61 participating companies planning to make a permanent switch to a four-day work week.

With a new trial on the horizon, and a new government in place, the UK’s four-day work week campaign is building momentum. Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, has said he hopes that the new Labour government will be more receptive to shifting working practices that promote employee wellbeing and address the major issues around burnout and low worker engagement.

Six businesses have already signed on and it’s hoped around 3,000 employees and 50 companies will join the scheme, enabling employers to trial flexible start and finish times, a nine-day fortnight, and compressed hours.

What is the four-day work week?

The Four Day Week Campaign calls for Britain to adopt a four-day working week and reduce maximum working hours from 48 hours to 32 hours per week. It advocates for a reduction in working hours without a reduction in pay, arguing that it can improve work-life balance, boost productivity, and enhance employee wellbeing. 

While there are many proponents of the idea, there are also critics who raise concerns about its feasibility and potential drawbacks.

Certainly, not all sectors can transition easily to a four-day work week. Service industries, for example, may find it difficult to maintain customer service levels with reduced hours. The need for continuous operations in healthcare, retail, and other essential services poses additional challenges​.

The 4 Day Week Campaign group that’s running the second scheme in the autumn, has partnered with flexible working consultancy Timewise, along with the University of Cambridge, Boston College and the Autonomy Institute for additional research support.

Campaigners hope that Keir Starmer’s Labour government will see the four-day work week as a route to bringing much-needed change to the UK. 

Labour MP Peter Dowd has stated in the past that with AI comes opportunities for improved employee wellbeing. “With the rollout of artificial intelligence […], a shorter working week is looking more and more inevitable,”​ he said. “Greater productivity in the economy as a result of new technology must be passed back to workers in more free leisure time.

Meanwhile Clive Lewis, another Labour MP, emphasised the societal need for change, saying, “Overwork, burnout, and mental health issues are far too common in this country, so a four-day week is desperately needed.”​

Here, we explore the pros and cons…

Key benefits of a four-day work week

Improved employee wellbeing and work-life balance

One of the most cited benefits of a four-day work week is the positive impact on employees’ mental health and overall wellbeing. Reduced working hours can lead to lower stress levels, reduced burnout, and more time for personal activities, family, and hobbies. Studies have shown that employees who work fewer hours tend to be happier and more engaged at work.

The world’s largest trial of a four-day working week, involving 61 UK companies, found substantial decreases in stress and burnout among employees. Nearly 39% of participants reported being less stressed, and the number of sick days taken dropped by around two-thirds​. 

Joe Ryle has emphasised that these results indicate a breakthrough in improving worker health and satisfaction, stating, “Surely the time has now come to begin rolling it out across the country.”

Increased productivity 

Contrary to fears of reduced output, many businesses that have implemented a four-day week report an increase in productivity. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “100-80-100 model” (100% pay, 80% time, 100% productivity), suggests that employees can maintain or even exceed their output in fewer hours by working more efficiently and with greater focus.

The 2022 trial, co-ordinated by non-profit 4 Day Week Global, in partnership with think tank Autonomy and campaign group 4 Day Week Campaign, revealed that company revenue increased by an average of 1.4% during the trial period, with some companies seeing even greater improvements. This suggests that employees, when working fewer hours, can maintain or even boost their productivity due to better mental and physical health​

>> RELATED: Explore our Future of Work programme for 2024

Talent attraction and retention 

Offering a four-day work week can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent. In a competitive job market, flexible working arrangements and a better work-life balance are highly valued by employees, giving businesses that offer these benefits an edge.

The first trial highlighted a 57% drop in the number of staff leaving their jobs compared to the same period the previous year. 

Environmental benefits 

A four-day work week can also contribute to environmental sustainability. Fewer commuting days reduce carbon emissions, and a decrease in energy consumption at the workplace can lower the company’s carbon footprint.

Challenges and concerns

Potential for increased workload

One downside reported by participants of the initial trial was the intensified workload. Some employees found that their work became more stressful as they tried to complete the same amount of work in fewer hours.

Critics argue that many employees could end up working longer hours on the four days they are in the office, which could negate the benefits of an extra day off.

Customer and client expectations 

In industries where customer service and client interactions are crucial, a four-day work week might pose challenges. Businesses may need to find ways to ensure that customer expectations are met and that service levels do not decline.

Implementation challenges 

Transitioning to a four-day work week requires careful planning and a shift in organisational culture. Not all businesses or industries are suited for such a change, and the logistics of ensuring seamless operations can be complex.

Companies may need to invest in new technologies or restructuring to ensure productivity remains high. Some managers and staff expressed concerns that the focus on efficiency made the workplace less sociable, which was particularly challenging for creative industries​.

Potential for reduced collaboration

With employees working fewer days, there might be fewer opportunities for team collaboration and face-to-face meetings. This could affect the quality of work that relies heavily on teamwork and communication.

With fewer working days, there could be delays in communication and project progression, especially if team members’ off-days do not align. This misalignment can lead to bottlenecks and slower decision-making processes.

Peter Cheese, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has said: “While there are clear benefits to a shorter working week, it’s important to recognize that not all sectors or job roles are suited to this change. Effective collaboration and communication are key to success in many industries, and these can be harder to achieve with fewer working days.”

Strategies to mitigate collaboration issues

To address these potential drawbacks, businesses can leverage technology and collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom to keep team members connected, and embrace ‘flexible scheduling’ (where employees can choose their off-days, ensuring that there is always sufficient coverage for collaborative tasks and meetings) and designate specific days of the week for team meetings and collaborative work, ensuring that these days are highly productive and focused on teamwork.

Case studies and examples

Several UK-based companies have already adopted the four-day work week and reported positive outcomes. For example, Atom Bank and Unilever’s New Zealand branch have both seen improvements in employee satisfaction and productivity, and provide a roadmap for other businesses considering this model.

On the other hand, some companies have tried and reverted back to a traditional five-day week after finding that the model didn’t suit their specific needs or industry requirements. These experiences highlight that while the four-day week can be beneficial, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

The debate around the four-day work week in the UK is multifaceted. While the benefits of improved work-life balance, increased productivity, and environmental sustainability are compelling, there are also significant challenges to consider. And as more companies experiment with and share their experiences, the understanding of the four-day work week’s potential and limitations will continue to evolve.

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMME: The Future of Work: People, Culture, Tech