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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Mya Bollan

Four-day working week in Scotland - all the Scots companies and firms taking part

A number of businesses and companies are introducing as four day working week as the UK trials the scheme.

Run by researchers at Cambridge and Oxford University, the pilot will see staff and workers enjoy a three-day weekend with no change to their salaries.

A total of six companies have signed a deal so far, with the group aiming for 30 in total across the UK.

Back in September last year, IPPR Scotland published research in a bid to urge the Scottish Government to trial such pilot schemes.

The study found that 80 per cent of people believed that cutting their numbers of days at work would have a “positive effect on their wellbeing”.

A total of 88 per cent of those at a working-age in Scotland stated that they would be willing to take part in shorter working time trial schemes if they were piloted by the Scottish Government, according to the study.

In terms of productivity, the research found that 65 per cent of participants believed that cutting the working week could have a positive impact on Scotland's productivity.

Amongst the Scottish firms beginning to introduce a four day working week is creative agency LUX.

The firm announced this month that it will cut hours to 32 per week over four days with staff continuing to enjoy the same salary.

Following a pioneering pilot kicking off pre-lockdown, the agency reports that overall efficiency has increased by 24 per cent year-on-year resulting in an impressive 30 per cent increase in profitability.

LUX hopes that the shorter working week will provide flexibility on hours and place or work as well as a bette work-life balance for employees.

Commenting on the change, Co-Founder Alice Will said: “The world of work and traditional nine to five convention needs to evolve to meet modern day life.

"We’ve taken a holistic view on business management and find our people and creativity thrive in a culture where the team feel nurtured, energised and autonomous in their roles.

“Our experience has been overwhelmingly positive and is proof that decreasing working hours/days optimises performance and increases productivity - offering both a better balance for our team and increased profitability for the business.

"It’s a win-win!”

The creative firm is not the only company in Scotland taking part, here are the others that are following suit.

Full list of Scottish firms operating a full day working week

  1. Advice Direct Scotland
  2. LUX
  3. Gracefruit
  4. Social Enterprise Direct
  5. The Circle
  6. The UPAC Group
  7. YWCA Scotland
  8. Isle of Barra Distillers

List of 40 UK wide companies cutting their working days

  1. 3D Issue - a digital publishing platform
  2. Advice Direct Scotland - an advice hub
  3. Autonomy - an independent thinktank
  4. Big Potato Games - a board game company
  5. Blink - a specialist digital marketing agency
  6. CMG Technologies - 3D metal moulding
  7. Causeway Irish Housing Association - a not-for-profit organisation providing temporary accommodation for young single homeless people
  8. Charlton Morris - a specialist search firm
  9. Common Knowledge - a not-for-profit building digital tools for grassroots organisers
  10. Contour Couture - an aesthetics company
  11. Crystallised - a marketing agency
  12. Datalase - laser equipment supplier
  13. Earth Science Partnership - a consultancy of engineers, geologists and applied environmental scientists
  14. Elektra Lighting - lighting consultants
  15. Entrepreneurs Circle - a business development service
  16. Evolved - search marketing specialists
  17. Four Day Week Ltd - a jobs site for four day week and flexible roles
  18. Geeks For Social Change - software developers, activists and researchers with a social agenda
  19. Gracefruit - a cosmetics company
  20. Highfield Professional Solutions - an employment agency
  21. Legacy Events - an events management company
  22. MRL - a specialist recruitment company for high technology and financial markets
  23. PTHR - a design, development and change consultancy
  24. Punch Creative - a digital marketing agency
  25. Reboot - a digital marketing firm
  26. Resilience Brokers - working to improve climate resilience
  27. Reward Agency - a marketing agency
  28. STOP AIDS - a HIV and AIDS charity
  29. Sinister Fish Games - a board game company
  30. Social Enterprise Direct - a technological solutions company
  31. Softer Success - working with employees to prevent burnout
  32. T-Cup Studios - helping employee wellbeing
  33. Target Publishing - an independent publisher
  34. Technovent - a supplier of medical products for the body prosthesis sector
  35. The Circle - hub for charities, social enterprises, community groups and businesses
  36. The UPAC Group - a packaging supplier
  37. Venture Stream - a digital marketing agency
  38. YWCA Scotland - a movement of women leading change
  39. flocc - a digital marketing agency
  40. streamGO - an events platform

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