The 4-day tweak

More than 3,000 Britons start six-month trial to test productivity if they work fewer days for SAME wages

THOUSANDS of UK workers yesterday slashed their hours with no loss of pay in the world’s biggest trial of the four-day week.

Seventy companies and more than 3,300 workers will take part in the ground-breaking pilot scheme.

During the six-month trial, employees will get 100 per cent pay for 80 per cent of the hours – with the aim that they will be more productive.

Academics from Oxford and Cambridge universities will manage the experiment in partnership with the think-tank Autonomy.

They will look at how employees respond to having an extra day off, including factors such as stress, job and life satisfaction, health, sleep, energy use and travel.

Joe O’Connor, of campaign group 4 Day Week Global, said the UK is at the forefront of the shift to a shorter working week.

He said: ‘As we emerge from the pandemic, more and more companies are recognising that the new frontier for competition is quality of life, and that reduced-hour, output-focused working is the vehicle to give them a competitive edge.’

Companies which have signed up range from software developers to local fish and chip shop Platten’s in Wells-next-the Sea, Norfolk, and a north London brewery.

Sam Smith, co-founder of Pressure Drop Brewery in Tottenham said it felt like a good time for the firm to be trying different working practices. He said: ‘The pandemic’s made us think a great deal about work and how people organise their lives.’ His challenge during the pilot scheme is pretty simple. His nine-strong team have to produce and package the same amount of beer as they do now.

Ed Siegel, chief executive of Charity Bank, which is also taking part in the trial, said: ‘We firmly believe that a four-day week with no change to salary or benefits will create a happier workforce and will have an equally positive impact on business productivity, customer experience and our social mission.’

The trial comes as the UK struggles with staff shortages and some bosses challenge flexible working. Tesla’s Elon Musk last week told staff to return to the office for a minimum of 40 hours a week.