Over 200 UK businesses have made the switch, reporting improved staff well-being and no loss of productivity
A growing number of UK businesses that have adopted a four-day workweek are standing by their decision, with many reporting increased employee satisfaction, better recruitment prospects, and no negative impact on productivity.
The 4 Day Week Foundation revealed that more than 200 companies across the UK have now permanently transitioned to a shorter workweek with no loss of pay, covering industries from marketing and IT to charities and professional services. Collectively, these firms employ over 5,000 people.
‘I Don’t Ever See Us Going Back’
Speaking to Insider, Kirsten Dean, head of finance at Scottish housing association Melville, said that employees were initially in “disbelief” when the company trialled the policy in 2023.
“They thought it was too good to be true that it had no strings attached,” she said. However, after more than a year on the new schedule, she added, “I don’t ever see us going back.”
Melville, which manages over 2,000 homes across central Scotland, closely monitored tenant satisfaction levels and operational efficiency to ensure the change didn’t negatively affect service quality. While some tenants were initially sceptical, Dean confirmed that customer satisfaction remains strong.
A Game-Changer for Recruitment and Work-Life Balance
Beyond employee well-being, the four-day workweek has also proved to be a major recruitment advantage. Dean revealed that a recent hire was willing to take a pay cut to join Melville, specifically because of the shorter working week.
“The four-day week is definitely a draw,” she noted. “Having an extra day off each week means I don’t have to put my son into nursery that day—I get to spend a full day with him.”
Charities Also See the Benefits
Brook, a charity that provides sexual health services across England, is another organisation that has permanently embraced the four-day workweek.
Speaking to Insider, Sam Hepworth, the charity’s head of communications, emphasised that the change is not about reducing workload but ensuring staff well-being and resilience.
“I wouldn’t describe anyone here as lazy,” he said, responding to critics who argue that a four-day week is impractical.
“Our clinical staff deal with very challenging work, often supporting patients in distressing situations. That can take its toll, both emotionally and physically. Having an extra day off helps prevent burnout and ensures they can continue delivering high-quality care.”
Brook has adjusted shift patterns to keep clinics open for the same number of days while optimising office staff schedules. Hepworth noted that efficiency gains—such as fewer, more effective meetings—helped make the transition a success.
Employee Satisfaction Remains High
Brook initially trialled the four-day workweek in 2023, and the results were overwhelmingly positive:
- 86% of employees rated the experience as ‘very positive’
- 87% said their motivation remained the same or improved
- 90% of staff supported making the policy permanent
Following the successful pilot, Brook’s leadership decided to permanently adopt the four-day workweek, and the organisation has since been “inundated” with inquiries from other businesses considering the switch.
The Growing Divide on Flexible Work Policies
While the four-day workweek continues to gain traction, some major employers are moving in the opposite direction.
Amazon recently mandated that staff return to the office full-time, reversing the pandemic-era shift to flexible work. Critics of the four-day model, including lobbying group the TaxPayers’ Alliance, have also spoken out against its adoption in the public sector.
Despite these debates, the growing number of businesses successfully implementing reduced-hour work models suggests that flexible working is here to stay—at least for those companies willing to embrace change.
