UK 4-day working week trial results: happy workers no loss of work efficiency Prepare to propose bill to reduce working days
mid last year If anyone still remembers, there is news that there is a real large scale experiment in the UK. Let company employees work only 4 days a week. to prove that Less work makes employees happier. The company itself still has the same job or an even better job.
The six month trial involved 61 companies, from a wide range of industries. In total, more than 2,900 workers took part, reducing working days from the usual 5 days a week to just 4 days, while still receiving the same salary.
Joe Ryle, head of the 4 Day Week Campaign, one of the initiators of the experiment, said the results were a “major development”.
“In various sectors the welfare of the workers is improving a lot. and business efficiency in almost all cases Is at the same level or better … We are very satisfied with the results. and I hope it shows The 4 day working week policy is completely achievable.”
A survey of 2,900 workers before and after taking part in a four-day working week trial found that 39% felt less stressed, 40% slept better, and 54% said that balancing work and time can be made easier rest (Work Life Balance).
It also found that the number of employees who took sick days during the trial fell by around two thirds, and that employees left the company by 57 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Most companies also said they were satisfied with the productivity and efficiency of their business during the trial, with 56 of the 61 companies deciding to extend their four-day working week. And 18 of these companies have made the four day working week a permanent policy for their companies.
At Rivelin Robotics, a company that manufactures robots and components for medical and aerospace equipment. The company, which has just eight employees, said it plans to continue with this new approach.
Since last summer, Rivelin Robotics employees have been enjoying weekends three days a week. by allowing employees to take off work on Fridays But on other working days, I have to work from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM instead.
David Alator, the company’s chief technology officer, said: “We want to foster a company culture that puts wellbeing first. Ensuring that everyone is well rested and has a good work-life balance.”
said Alator The transition is challenging for small start-ups with fewer than 10 employees.
David Mason, the company’s chief product officer, added, “We used to do trade shows. This is the launch of one of our products. But a few key pieces had to be postponed. And we couldn’t start production until Monday… At that time there was no way we could deliver that shipment.”
He said: “Although it is common for us to receive work contacts on Fridays, But the working class will bear the stress when that happens. “
Alator said that in the experiment, some workers preferred to work five days with fewer hours than to work four days with longer hours. The management team is now figuring out how to accommodate the new working model as the company grows.
Another company taking part in the four day program is the Charity Bank Savings and Credit Branch in Tunbridge, Kentshire. The company, which has 70 employees, is another participant expected to continue the four-day working week policy even after the trial ends.
Ed Siegel, bank executive said The bank has offered employees the ability to take off work on Monday or Friday. And the results have been amazing.” “About two-thirds of our employees say it’s great. We have had incredible success. They switched to working 4 days a week and they love it. My mood changed a lot. And the workers love it and they say, ‘This is a great organisation. So good to be here.”
For others, some of them were senior officers, used to working long hours throughout the week. Siegel said the bank “Try to tell those people – and by the way, I’m one of them – ‘Be clear, this is your choice. If you want to work four days a week We want to encourage you to get there.”
The Royal Society of Biology, a London-based research company, Currently, all 38 employees are off on Mondays or Fridays. And extend the working day from 7 hours to 8 hours, saying that reviewing the way the organization works is important.
Mark Downs, the company’s chief executive, said: Sometimes employees need flexibility, for example, attending important meetings on days when they are not working, for example, but a survey of employees during the pilot period gave satisfactory results.
“I’m exaggerating. This is the most positive response I have ever received from an employee survey. It was unanimously popular. Everyone was very supportive,” Downs said.
And when he asked the company’s stakeholders, Is there a reduction in performance after the modification? got the answer “Not at all”
The 4 Day Week Campaign said it would like to see more employers in the UK take action to change their work policies. And trying to lobby the government to support legislation that gives workers the right to work four days a week. The results of this experiment will be presented to members of the British House of Representatives today (February 21).
Compiled from The Guardian
Image from AFP
