1,000 workers will get the same money for fewer days at work in the latest four-day week trial.
The trial has been organised by the 4 Day Week Campaign and will involve 17 businesses.
Notable participants include the British Society for Immunology and Crate Brewery in Hackney, London.
This initiative aims to build momentum and deliver findings to the Labour government by summer. It come as public interest grows in favour of a shorter workweek.
The trial primarily features a four-day workweek model, though some businesses are opting for alternative shorter schedules, like a nine-day fortnight—an approach that provides workers with an extra day off every two weeks.
Four more businesses are set to join the trial, contributing to the campaign’s goal of solidifying the four-day workweek as a viable option in the UK.
Labour’s Position on the Four-Day Week
While nearly 200 UK businesses have already transitioned to a four-day workweek permanently, the Labour government’s position remains tentative.
Despite support from high-ranking Labour members, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, the party has not fully embraced the policy. Rayner has previously advocated for the benefits of a four-day week, saying:
“If you can deliver within a four-day working week, then why not?”
However, there is hesitance within the government.
Recently, more than 500 civil servants from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government petitioned for a shorter workweek, only to be met with a government spokesperson’s response:
“A four-day week is not government policy or something we are considering.”
Labour may be reluctant to promote the idea fully, potentially to avoid political fallout from Conservative opponents.
Despite the government’s cautious stance, businesses don’t require official approval to adopt this work model, and interest is building across various sectors.
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The Four-Day Week in the Hospitality Sector
The trial is extending the four-day week concept into the hospitality sector, a challenging area due to typically tight profit margins and lower-wage employees. Crate Brewery, a craft beer establishment along Hackney’s Lee Navigation, sees this trial as transformative.
Georgia Pearson, People Manager at Crate Brewery, emphasized that the four-day workweek could be a major asset for recruitment.
She said:
“For operational teams, physically demanding service shifts can mean that off days are spent recuperating, rather than enjoying personal time off.”
Pearson added that although retention has not been a problem, they view this trial as a strategic advantage in remaining competitive.
Industry Leaders Push for Change
Joe Ryle, Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said:
“We don’t have to just imagine a four-day week anymore because it’s already a reality for hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of workers in the UK.”
As the 4 Day Week Campaign prepares to present its findings next summer, there’s anticipation that the data could encourage the Labour government to consider broader implementation.
A Work-Life Shift for the Future?
With increasing numbers of businesses embracing the four-day week and a successful track record in similar trials, the future of UK work culture may soon shift.
The results from this latest trial could be instrumental in shaping government policy, potentially leading to a more balanced approach to work and life across the nation.
