According to studies by the 4 Day Week Foundation, over 200 UK businesses have made the permanent transition to a four-day workweek without incurring any pay losses.
Over 5,000 individuals are employed by marketing agencies, IT companies, consultancies, and non-profits, according to ITV News on Monday.
The conventional five-day workweek, which was “invented 100 years ago,” is “no longer fit for purpose,” according to campaign director Joe Ryle.
“A four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives with 50% more free time,” he continued.
Shorter work weeks, according to proponents, are essential for luring and keeping workers while enhancing their general well-being. With 59 of the 200 adopters, London-based businesses are at the forefront.
However, according to Yahoo News, many workers throughout the world are still struggling with the pressure to return to full-time office work, even as the four-day workweek gains traction in the UK.
Despite the hybrid working arrangements that have been in place during the pandemic, companies such as Amazon and JP Morgan have insisted that employees return to the office.
According to a Spark Market Research survey, 78% of respondents aged 18 to 34 think that in five years, a four-day workweek will be the standard, and 65% are against a return to typical office employment.
According to managing director Lynsey Carolan, this generation places a high value on mental health and general welfare, therefore the four-day workweek significantly improves their quality of life.
Additionally, Carolan emphasized that this generation’s mental health and general well-being “are top priorities,” making the four-day workweek a significant advantage and a major contributor to their standard of living.
According to Yahoo News on Monday, the policy, which was first implemented as a pilot for office workers in early 2023, has now been expanded to include workers in waste collection services.
