In the new trial, staff can choose their working hours

Hundreds of British workers will soon be given more flexibility over their working hours as part of a new pilot of the official four-day week campaign.

This six-month project, which builds on the first trial from 2022, will explore different flexible working models, including flexible start and end times, a nine-day period and compressed hours.

Six companies have already signed up, with the campaign aiming to involve around 3,000 employees and 50 companies. Backed by Britain’s largest trade union, Unison, and several major companies, the trial aims to improve work-life balance and productivity. However, some companies have already abandoned the four-day week after the first tests.

Joe Ryle, the campaign’s director, commented: “Hundreds of UK businesses and one council have already shown that a four-day working week without losing wages can be a win-win for workers and employers.” Backed by research from Cambridge University and Boston College, the latest trial includes participants such as Welsh homeowner Bron Afon Community Housing. Director Unji Mathur expressed her admiration for the positive impact on organizational performance, employee well-being and retention.

The action group reported that “at least” 54 of the 61 companies that participated in the first trial continued with the four-day week a year and a half later.

Four-day week: sloppy?

Sophie Greaves, a research chemist in Liverpool, appreciates the flexible start and finish times her job offers. She can start anytime between 7am and 10am and finish eight hours later, which she finds helpful in managing her own time. “People are really productive when they can manage their own time,” she says.

However, not all experiments with shortening working hours have been successful. Asda recently suspended a four-day trial period after staff found the longer shifts too demanding. Their plan had store managers working 45 hours over four days, which proved unpopular compared to other parts of the trial with a five-day, 39-hour working week.

Similarly, Morrisons ended its four-day trial at its head office in Bradford in January. The staff had to work 37.5 hours over four days, with the occasional Saturday shift. Joe Ryle noted that this was “not really a four-day week,” which he defines as 32 hours over four days.

Conversely, some countries are exploring longer work weeks to increase productivity. Greece recently introduced a six-day working week for specific industries, offering workers a 40% pay increase for overtime. This policy applies to 24-hour businesses and is optional for employees.

Mr Ryle plans to present the results of this second process to the newly elected Labor government next year. “With a new Labor government, change is in the air and we hope employers will embrace this change by signing up to our pilot,” he said.