Staff rejuvenated by four-day working week - firm

The number of UK companies operating a four-day week has surpassed 200

A business director said allowing staff to work a four-day week kept her employees feeling "rejuvenated".

Amy Spooner, who works at a marketing agency in Maldon, Essex, said introducing the new shift policy four years ago had been a success.

It came as more than 200 companies in the UK committed to a permanent switch in their working week with no loss of pay.

"Everyone loves it and it keeps people happy and wanting to stay," Ms Spooner told BBC Essex.

Businesses operating on a four-day week basis in the UK ranged from IT firms to those in the charity sector, and collectively the companies employed more than 5,000 people.

Amy Spooner said staff at her marketing agency split their days off so it could still operate five days a week

Ms Spooner said the change at VerriBerri, where she is an assistant director, had been inspired by staff who wanted more time to pursue "side hustles" and passion projects.

She explained days off were split among the workforce so the business could still operate Monday to Friday.

"It makes people more productive because they know they need to get their work done.

"It makes them rejuvenated when they come back to work after those three days off," Ms Spooner added.

'More fulfilling lives'

South Cambridgeshire District Council brought in the four-day system for some of its workforce in 2023.

The trial initially focused on desk-based staff, but was expanded to include people working in its waste collection service.

Joe Ryle, the campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said the five-day working week was "invented 100 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose".

Instead, his organisation was pushing for a four-day week with the same pay and benefits as those working five out of every seven days.

He said: "As hundreds of British companies and one local council have already shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay can be a win-win for both workers and employers.

"A four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives."

Marketing and press relations firms made up 30 of the companies adopting the policy, while charities, non-governmental organisations and social care companies accounted for 29.

They were followed by 24 in technology, IT and software, while 22 companies in the business, consulting and management sector have also offered four-day weeks to their workers.