The six-month pilot will begin in November and also experiment with different forms of flexibility such as compressed hours
UK firms are being encouraged to participate in a significant trial of a four-day working week, with campaigners hoping to convince the new Labour Government to support their ideas for a change in work patterns.
The six-month pilot, set to kick off in November, will also explore various forms of flexibility such as compressed hours. The 4 Day Week Campaign is advocating for Britain to embrace a four-day working week and cut maximum working hours from 48 to 32 hours per week.
Importantly, employers would need to ensure that there’s no wage reduction for their staff. Two years ago, 61 companies participated in one of the world’s largest trials, with 54 maintaining the shorter week once the scheme concluded, according to the campaign group.
This year’s pilot could target around 50 businesses and will include those eager to experiment with other forms of flexible working besides shortening the week. This might entail flexible start and finish times for their staff, a nine-day fortnight, or compressed hours meaning employees work full-time hours but over fewer days.
The findings of the experiment will be presented to the Government next summer. Campaigners are optimistic that the new Labour Government could be more open to altering work patterns and implementing a four-day week.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has previously urged businesses to consider trialling a four-day working week, suggesting it could enhance productivity for some. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has thrown his weight behind the shorter working week, and it’s understood that Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is also keen on the idea.
Bron Afon Community Housing in Wales is one of two firms that have already signed up for this year’s trial of the new work pattern. Joe Ryle, the 4 Day Week Campaign’s director, has boasted that a raft of British companies and even South Cambridgeshire District Council have switched to a four-day week without slashing staff pay.
“With a new Labour Government, change is in the air and we hope to see employers embracing this change by signing up to our pilot,” he declared. ‘The nine-five, five day working week was invented 100 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose. We are long overdue an update.”
The campaign group has teamed up with flexible working experts Timewise to run the pilot, which will offer training and workshops for participating businesses. Timewise’s chief executive Claire Campbell said: “We hope to see more employers from sectors with site-based, shift-based workers sign up because this is where innovation is needed most.”
