Are we headed for a four day working week?
By Fay Capstick
Covid has changed the way we work in the UK. Remote working for those who can has become an expected part of any job offer. This week we will be looking at this change and whether we are heading for a four day working week for many.
A brief history of the 5 day work week
The five day week hasn’t always been an accepted thing and it hasn’t been around as long as you might expect. Henry Ford first moved from a six day to a five day working week in 1914 for workers at his car production factory. Until then Sunday was the only traditional day free from work for many.
Many are now working a four day week, but this isn’t yet a shift as momentous as the five day work week. We expect this change to continue and become the norm in most sectors in the coming decade.
The UK four day work week trial study
The UK has been involved in trialing a four day working week. Other countries, such as Iceland and New Zealand have done the same, but the UK trial is the largest so far (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jun/06/thousands-workers-worlds-biggest-trial-four-day-week). The idea is full pay for a four day week with a commitment to full productivity during that time. The trial has covered all business types from fish and chip shops to tax specialists.
The trial was very successful and most companies involved will keep it as their way for organising their work week. Productivity was not found to have been impacted, and in some cases it has improved (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62966302).
Workers want a shorter week
Research by YouGov (https://hrnews.co.uk/77-of-finance-professionals-in-the-uk-want-four-day-working-week-and-80-want-inflation-matched-salaries-ries-according-to-spendesk/) shows that the majority of workers in the finance sector were in favour of a four day working week. Research into other sectors would likely show similar results.
Obviously, this isn’t possible in all sectors of the economy, but for many it is possible to achieve the same output in four days compared to the traditional five.
What are the advantages?
Happier workers: If workers want to work a four day week with no loss of productivity, then it seems a good thing. Happier workers will be more productive and satisfied with their job, and more likely to remain loyal to their employers.
Better work life balance: A four day week gives better work life balance, meaning that chores, family commitments, volunteering, life admin and relaxation can be better scheduled.
Cheaper childcare: On average, saving one day of childcare a week will save £269 per month for a family with two children. This would make a huge difference during the current cost of living crisis.
Less commuting: For those who need to spend some or all of their work time in an office, working four days instead of five to achieve the same output dramatically reduces the time wasted in commuting.
Better for the environment: Less days spent commuting is a bonus for the environment and the overall goal to reach Net Zero.
More productivity: As we have seen, in some cases productivity actually increased when workers had a four day working week.
What are the disadvantages?
Loss to other businesses: Workers not being in an office when they otherwise might be could bring a loss to the business locally that service those workers, such as coffee shops and cafes. They will experience a drop in trade after already experiencing drops due to home working in general and Covid.
Dissatisfaction from workers: Not all jobs can be done on a four day working week and managers will need to make decisions. It is possible that there might be dissatisfaction from some who can’t work this way when they see others in the company potentially being offered this method of working.
Organisation: Transitioning to a four day work week will require a change in working style and organisation. Businesses will need to develop a method to juggle staffing needs in relation to annual leave and other interruptions to staffing levels.
Conclusion
Not all jobs can be done on a four day week, but for those that can it seems that it is a trend that is starting to build. Of course, the desires of the workers need to be balanced with the needs of the business, so all managers will need to make specific decisions about what method of work suits their company best.
Final thoughts
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