Four-day workweek trial: The firms where it didn’t work

In the United Kingdom, a significant experiment took place involving over 60 companies, ranging from marketing firms to local fish and chip shops. They all participated in a trial to test out a four-day workweek, coordinated by the non-profit organization 4 Day Week Global. The results were quite impressive: a whopping 92% of the businesses involved decided to keep the shorter workweek after the trial ended, and some even made it a permanent change. Employees, nearly 3,000 of them, felt less burned out and reported better health and well-being. Workers enjoyed more family time, hobbies, and self-care, which in turn made them more productive at work. However, the four-day workweek didn't suit every company. Some had to back out or couldn't fully commit to the new schedule. For instance, Allcap, an engineering supplies company, faced challenges. They couldn't afford to give their staff a full day off every week, so they tried a day off every two weeks. But this led to overworked employees and difficulties in covering shifts. Eventually, they had to end their participation in the trial early. The nature of some businesses, like Allcap's, requires a constant physical presence, making a four-day workweek difficult to implement. Other companies, especially those with customer-facing roles, found it hard to adjust without hiring more staff, which could be costly. Some organizations are still trying to make it work by extending their trials or offering more flexible work hours. The idea of a shorter workweek is appealing as it challenges the traditional nine-to-five work culture, promoting a healthier work-life balance. While not every company could immediately adopt the four-day workweek, the trial's overall success suggests that many employers are open to rethinking how we work. For those like Allcap, who had to revert to the traditional workweek, the hope remains to find a way to reintroduce the four-day schedule if they can manage the staffing challenges.