Most of the UK companies that took part in the world’s biggest ever four-day working week trial have made the policy permanent, reports The Guardian, citing research from thinktank Autonomy and researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Salford and Boston College. It found that of the 61 organisations that took part in a six-month UK pilot in 2022, 54 (89%) are still operating the policy a year later, and 31 (51%) have made the change permanent. More than half (55%) of project managers and CEOs said a four-day week, in which staff worked 100% of their output in 80% of their time, had a positive impact on their organisation, the report found.

For the majority, or 82%, this included positive effects on staff wellbeing, while 50% found it reduced staff turnover, and 32% said it improved job recruitment. Nearly half (46%) said working and productivity improved.

Some have expressed caution at the report with a director at the Confederation of British Industry, Matthew Percival, saying the four-day week was not a “one size fits all answer” and would be “unlikely to pay for itself in many industries”. “If businesses have the budget to add to their offer to employees, then they will be considering the relative merits of reducing working hours compared to increasing pay, pensions or paid parental leave, as well as better supporting health and wellbeing.”

Meanwhile, a government spokesperson said, “We have no plans to introduce a four-day working week. Ultimately it is for employers and employees to agree what working arrangements work best for them, and we will be making changes to our flexible working legislation in April, including the right to request flexible working from day 1 of a new job.”