The 4 day working week – what does it mean to you?

The concept of working a four day week has been in the public consciousness for several years, but what that actually means for employees remains rather vague. Perhaps this isn’t surprising when there is limited proof of its effectiveness or shortcomings. So far the most notable trials of four day week working have been seen in Iceland, New Zealand, Sweden, and Japan. However, that is soon set to change with the launch of an international trial. Participating companies in the US, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Spain, and the UK will adopt a four day week to determine the effectiveness of this way of working.

In the UK, a six month pilot of the four day week kicks off in June 2022, involving more than 70 companies, including Boom Studios (Northern Ireland), Yo Telecom (Southampton), Scotland’s International Development Alliance (Edinburgh), Merthyr Valley Homes Limited (Merthyr Tydfil), and Rivelin Robotics (Sheffield), and over 3,300 employees.

What does a 4 day week mean?

In its most basic format, a four day week means exactly that. You work for only four days in each seven day week without extending the number of hours you work each day. So instead of working Monday to Friday, 9.00 am until 5.30 pm, you may be asked to work Tuesday to Friday, still starting at nine in the morning and finishing at 5.30 in the afternoon.

The UK trial uses the 100:80:100 approach, that is:

• 100% pay
• 80% working days
• 100% productivity

Employees will receive their full pay (100%), work four instead of five days (80%), but be expected to maintain the same level of productivity (100%).

What are the benefits of a 4 day week to employees?

Putting aside how a four day week might work for companies, what exactly are the benefits to you as an employee?

  Reduced childcare expenses

The ongoing increase in the cost of living, including high levels of inflation, has seen the spending of most UK households skyrocket. One key expense is childcare. Working a four day week gives you back the money you would spend on childcare fees for that fifth day. This could mean a massive saving when combined with your tax-free childcare allowance and/or childcare vouchers provided by your employer.

  Improved quality of life

There is no doubt that a longer weekend would improve workers’ quality of life, including their mental health. The ability to fit work around commitments, spend time with friends and family, have that extra day to handle life admin, and just rest for longer means a less stressed, happier, and overall more productive you.

  Reduce your carbon footprint

A four day week could be good news for the environment too. If you travel to the office or factory Monday to Friday, working one less day each week would mean a reduction in:

• your commuting hours and the related expense
• the fuel that whatever mode of transport you use needs
• the electricity you use in the office

  Creation of new jobs

An employer who uses a four day week working pattern does not necessarily close us shop for that fifth day. Instead, employees work varying days to ensure staff coverage for the employer’s usual hours of operation. One employee might work Monday to Thursday, while their colleague works Wednesday to Saturday.

For some businesses, this may mean the creation of new jobs to ensure staff coverage for the business’s normal working week.

Final Thoughts

The current four day week trial will run for six months, and it will take longer still to collate data and reach a conclusion on the effectiveness of this working pattern. We don’t know whether the 100:80:100 approach will be proven as the best format. It may be that the format changes to include extended hours on each of those four days as has been legislated in Belgium or that employee salaries and benefits are cut proportionally. We do know, however, that a four day week working pattern is unlikely to suit every business or industry.

Whatever form the four day week eventually takes, it will be down to you as an individual to decide whether it is the right move for you.