The UK experimented with the world’s largest 4-day work week

Many employers are thinking of letting employees work 4 days a week to balance their lives.

More than 3,000 workers in 60 companies across the UK will make the world’s largest experience of working four days a week.

Personnel from many businesses and organizations are expected to participate in the trial starting from June to December this year, including the Royal Society of Biology, London brewer Pressure Drop, companies medical equipment based in Manchester and a fast food joint in Norfolk.

This experiment comes as businesses encourage shorter workweeks. Of course, the goal is still higher productivity and not less income.

The pilot program is being run by academics from Oxford University, Cambridge University, and Boston University (USA) with the cooperation of campaign groups supporting the experiment.

The test aims to see how such working models work in enterprises. With 3,000 workers involved, this trial is larger than the previous one in Iceland with 2,500 workers.

The study was launched after Covid-19 pandemic causing many people and businesses to rethink their working model, in which there is a marked increase in flexible working methods, away from the traditional way of working 5 days a week, 8 hours a day.

Joe O’Connor – executive director of 4 Day Week Global – said there is no way to “turn back the clock” to the world before the pandemic. “More and more managers and executives are adopting a new working model that focuses on output quality, not hours worked. After the pandemic, workers have different expectations about what constitutes a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Mark Downs, chief executive of the Royal Society of Biology, said the decision to experiment with the four-day work week was in part a response to the “extremely competitive” labor market.

“Employers must work harder to attract and retain employees,” he said.

The Association’s 35 employees are mainly based in London, but some have switched to telecommuting during the pandemic. Employees were notified of the test last week and the responses so far have been positive.

During the trial period, the Royal Society of Biology will remain open five days a week, but staff will be split between Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday.

Dang Duong(According to The Guardian)