The Four-day Week

The five-day week is often credited to Henry Ford, who in 1914 proposed that his car production switch from a six-day to a five-day rota.

I was asked a few weeks ago to speak about the benefits of a four-day week and the four-day week trial. The five-day week is often credited to Henry Ford, who proposed that his car production switch from a six-day to a five-day rota as far back as 1914.

During my career, due to personal commitments, I have frequently worked four days a week; I have always started earlier than my contracted hours, prioritised my diary and efficiently managed my time to ensure that I never reduced my commitment to the organisation.

Interestingly the four-day week trial (pioneered by 4-day week Global) has similar commitments to productivity.

In the UK trial, 61 companies and approximately 2,900 workers signed up to trial a reduced work week over six months based on the 100-80-100™ model – 100% of the pay, for 80% of the time, in exchange for a commitment to delivering 100% of the output. There is often a misconception that the 4-day week is only applicable to those in professional roles, the trial show that with small changes to working practice the 4-day week can also be trialled in manufacturing facilities.

The results speak for themselves but reflect my experience working part-time or observing colleagues around me who worked part-time. 4-day Week Global report that 92% of organisations are continuing with a 4-day week; companies rated their overall experience of the trial an 8.3/10 and business performance and productivity both scored an average of 7.5/10

Employees reported improvements in overall health and well-being 43% felt an improvement in mental health, 39% were less stressed and 37% of employees saw improvements in physical health. When asked how employees spent their extra time people are not using their extra day off to take on paid work elsewhere. They are using it for hobbies and leisure, caring for children and elderly relatives, and personal care.

The work-time reduction has long been promoted as a multiple dividend reform with the potential to bring about social, economic and climate benefits. It will be interesting to observe the impact of hours worked on the future of work in the future.

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