A flurry of firms in the UK have started reducing the number of days staff spend at work in a bid to increase productivity in the workplace and improve staff wellbeing.

A lingerie manufacturer, a lighting design firm and a landscape architect are among those experimenting with a 4-day working week, for no less pay. The Wellcome Trust, Britain’s largest employer to so far consider a shorter working week, is to commence a trial for 800 of its employees.

Why are so many employers considering a 4-day week?

Companies that have made the move to a 4-day working week have called on others to follow suit, claiming it’s resulted in a 20% increase in productivity, increased profits and improved staff wellbeing.

One of the biggest trials yet of the 4-day working week has revealed no fall in output, lower stress levels and increased staff engagement, resulting in a better work-life balance for staff members.

What’s the impact on smaller employers?

Whilst firms with larger numbers of staff have been reporting an increase in productivity, smaller companies experimenting with a shorter working week have observed initial boosts in performance during the first few weeks, when the novelty is at its peak, but see this initial boost drop off slightly as the enthusiasm wanes.

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