MPs Push for Four-Day Working Week By Tabling Amendment To Employment Rights Bill
Labour MP, Peter Dowd, has tabled an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill with the objective of paving the way for a four-day working week, with the backing of 11 other Labour MP's.
Amendment
The amendment, if passed with the Employment Rights Bill, would require the government to create a Working Time Council tasked with providing recommendations for transitioning to a four-day working week, without any reduction in pay. The Council would assess the potential impacts upon both employers and employees.
Once enacted, the business and trade secretary would appoint council members within six months, with the council comprising representative from business, the Government, law, academia, and the trades unions.
Four-Day Working Week Trials
As we highlighted in a previous article, a 6 month trial of the four-day working week delivered some positive results. During the trial, employees of those organisations which participated worked a four-day working week without the loss of any pay. The approach was based upon what is known as the 100:80:100 model, in which employers pay their employees their full pay (i.e. 100%) despite employees only working 80% of the normal working week (i.e. a four-day working week, instead of 5). In exchange, the employee looks to deliver 100% productivity (i.e. produce what they had been doing in 5 days, in 4 days).
A second four-day working week pilot began on the 4th November 2024. 1000 workers from 17 businesses are taking part in the pilot, with another 4 businesses joining the pilot at a later stage. The pilot is scheduled to last 6 months.
The objectives behind the trials is to determine whether the four-day working week delivers an increase in productivity, as well as improvements in health, wellbeing, work life balance, and staff retention.
Permanent Switch By 200 Employers
The 4 Day Week Foundation recently announced that 200 employers are now on a permanent four-day working week, 59 of whom are based in London. Combined, these organisations employer over 5000 workers. The sectors of the economy with the most employers working a four-day working week are in PR, marketing, and advertising.
Comment
Commenting upon the amendment, Peter Dowd stated: "The benefits of greater productivity in the economy as a result of new technology such as artificial intelligence must be passed back to workers in more free leisure time. A four-day, 32-hour working week is the future of work and I urge my party to back this amendment so we can begin a much wider transition."
Almost Three-Quarters Support Ban On Zero-Hours Contracts
A comprehensive poll of 21,000 UK by the TUC has found that 72% of respondents support a ban on zero-hours contracts.
Poll: Key Findings
Key findings from the research were as follows:
- 72% of UK voters support banning zero-hours contracts. Just 15% of respondents were opposed to the ban
- 74% of voters back statutory sick pay from day one of employment. 14% were opposed
- 73% support day one protection for unfair dismissal. 14% were opposed
- 74% favour making flexible working arrangements more accessible. 13% were opposed
- Every UK constituency showed majority support for the proposed measures
The constituency-level analysis using multilevel regression with poststratification (MRP) demonstrated consistent support across different regions.
The Employment Rights Bill, which encompasses the proposed changes, is scheduled for its final Commons vote in late February. The poll's findings suggest the measures have secured broad-based support that transcends traditional political divisions, potentially providing a strong mandate for implementation.
This extensive polling exercise represents the most significant survey conducted on UK workers' rights to date, offering a detailed picture of public attitudes toward employment protection measures.
Reaction
Commenting upon the findings, the vice-chair of the Labour Growth Group, Mark Ferguson, stated that the measures to be introduced under the Employment Rights Bill will "have a major positive impact for the economy and living standards in every community across the country. This is a package that will lead to better productivity and growth. All the evidence shows that productive, skilled and stable workforces are for good for investment."
