Imagine all the things you could do with an extra day off every single week. Three years ago, the UK hosted the world’s largest ever trial of a four-day work week and Time Out spoke to people who had taken up playing the keyboard, signed up to a half marathon and had time to climb 30 mountains, thanks to shorter working hours. The possibilities are endless.
Now 5,000 more people across the country will get to reap the rewards. Two hundred more companies across the UK have signed up to begin a permanent four-day work week. Their staff will get the same holiday, the same pay and the same perks, just with one extra day to switch off. Lucky, lucky people.
The scheme is being run by the 4 Day Week Foundation. Charities, marketing and tech companies are some of the most represented industries taking part. London-based firms seem to be the most open to four-day weeks, representing 59 of the companies involved.
Joe Ryle, campaign director at the 4 Day Week Foundation, said that the five day week, which was ‘invented 100 years ago’, is ‘no longer fit for purpose’.
He said: ‘With 50 percent more free time, a four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives.’
And there’s data to back that up. A survey after the last four-day trial showed that employees were less likely to quit, 71 percent of people felt less burnout and from 0 (very bad) to 10 (very good), participants gave the experience an average score of 9.04.
The nationwide four-day week in Iceland has also seen huge success. Its economy grew by 5 percent and a whopping 97 percent felt they had a better work-life balance. Well, we can’t argue with those numbers – here’s hoping your workplace is next.
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