Further to our recent article on the outcome of the four-day week trial, a new study by GetApp has found that 85% of employees would opt for a four-day week if available.
Four-Day Week Trial
In the recent 6 month four-day week trial, employees of the participating employers worked a four-day week without the loss of any pay, with the aim of determining whether the four-day week delivers an increase in productivity, as well as improvements in health, wellbeing, work life balance, and staff retention.
Trial Results
The results of the four-day week trial were published on the 21st February 2023, and the findings were as follows:-
- Participating employees reported that a four-day week had improved their work life balance, with 54% stating that they were better able to combine work with tasks at home, and 62% stating that they were better able to integrate work with socialising. 60% of working carers also reported that they were better able to manage
- 39% of participating employees stated that their stress levels had fallen, and 71% reported a fall in burnout. 40% also stated that they were sleeping better
- 15% of participating employees stated that no amount of money could induce them to voluntarily return to working a five-day week
- Employers reported an average increase in revenue of 35% during the period of the trial, compared to the same period in 2021
- Whilst absenteeism fell by 65% on average, their was also a 57% reduction in staff departures . Moreover, there was an increase in recruitment
- Out of 10, the participating employers provided an average overall rating of 8.5. In terms of productivity and performance, the average rating was 7.5
- 92% of the participating employers plan to continue allowing their employees to work a 4 day week, with another 4% inclined to do the same. Just 4% of the employers stated that they would not be continuing with the shorter working week
"Major Breakthrough Moment"
The director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, Joe Ryle, declared the trial a “major breakthrough moment“. He stated: “Across a wide variety of sectors, wellbeing has improved dramatically for staff; and business productivity has either been maintained or improved in nearly every case. We’re really pleased with the results and hopefully it does show that the time to roll out a four-day week more widely has surely come.“
New Study
The new report compiled by GetApp, which involved 1,047 respondents who work with a computer within an SME, not only found that 85% of employees would opt for a four-day week if given the chance, but that 74% of employees would move to another employer who offered them a similar role to their own, but which, unlike their current job, came with a four-day week
Findings
The report also found that:-
- 54% of employees believe that work-life balance is a key factor in attaining job satisfaction
- 60% of employees believe that a four day week would improve job satisfaction, whilst 37% believe that it would increase productivity. Meanwhile, 40% were of the opinion that absenteeism would fall. Just 8% believed that a move to a 4-day week would have no benefit whatsoever
- 60% of employees would be willing to stay on a 40 hour week for the same pay, but working 4 days instead of 5. Nevertheless, 94% stated that they would not be willing a take a pay cut in return for going on to a four-day week
- Nevertheless, employees were also of the view that a move to a four-day week could have some downsides, including an excessive workload (47%), a fall in income (39%), problems meeting deadlines (35%), and a need to work overtime (29%). Just 9% believed that changing to a 4-day week would be devoid of any problems
Reaction
Commenting upon the findings of the new report, the content analyst at GetApp UK, David Jani, stated: "Many of the employees in our sample showed great interest in the four-day working week and predicted positive impacts if it were implemented in their organisation. This reflected a broader trend amongst employees demonstrating preferences for more flexibility in terms of working hours and the ability to work from home or remotely."
