A large-scale four-day weekday trial in the UK, conducted between June and December 2022, has largely convinced companies that have experimented with it, according to findings published by organizers on Tuesday. More than 60 companies participated in this experiment, which allowed nearly 3,000 employees to work one less day a week while maintaining the same salary. The test was organized by the 4 Day Week Global association, with the universities of Cambridge and Boston College in particular.
The results “show that almost all companies will continue the 4-day week after the test,” with more than nine in 10 saying they will surely continue, according to a press release. Only 4% of companies say they are sure to stop.
Improvements in physical and mental health
Companies were not penalized by these lighter weeks: revenue remained stable on average during the experiment (+1.4% during the test), even registering an increase of 35% compared to the same period in 2021, as well such as fewer casualties, absenteeism or new hires, according to the researchers.
The study further found “significant improvements in physical and mental health, time spent exercising, and overall satisfaction with life and work,” with rates of stress, burnout, less fatigue, and fewer sleep problems.
Initially, 70 companies had registered to participate in this project, but nine gave up before the start, say the organizers, most of the time because the company did not feel sufficiently prepared. Experiments with the four-day week have recently multiplied in Europe, but also in the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia and New Zealand.
Source: BFM TV
