A host of companies in Greater Manchester are to sticking with their switch to a four-day working week after the completion of a UK-wide trial.
Businesses with operations across the city region confirmed they were part of the experiment which saw them give staff an extra day off for no cut in pay from June 2022.
Thousands of employees were involved through the course of the trial being run by 4 Day Week Global in partnership with think tank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign and researchers at Cambridge University, Boston College and Oxford University.
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Now six out of the 45 who publicly announced their involvement have confirmed they are to keep the four-day working week. A further 16 UK companies took part but declined to have their names made public.
The Manchester companies who are to keep the four-day working week are:
- Adzooma - tech/avertising (Nottingham, Manchester and London)
- AKA Case Management - domiciliary care (Nottingham, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester)
- Everledger - technology (London, Birmingham, Manchester and global)
- Outcomes First Group - care and education services (Bolton)
- Tyler Grange - environmental consulting (Cirencester, Manchester, Birmingham, Exeter, Bristol, London)
- Evolution Money - financial services (Manchester)
Manchester-based MBL Seminars and Physiquipe, who were previously named as taking part in the trial, have not been included in the list of companies taking the scheme forward.
A report to mark the conclusion of the trial, published by the think tank Autonomy and academics at the University of Cambridge and Boston College in the US, shows that:
Almost every company (92%) that took part has decided to continue with the four-day week after the pilot. Of the 61 companies that participated, at least 56 are continuing with the four-day week, with 18 saying the policy is a permanent change
The vast majority of companies were satisfied that business performance and productivity was maintained
Over the six-month trial period, stress and burnout for employees both significantly declined with 71% of employees reporting lower levels of burnout
Reported levels of anxiety, fatigue and sleep issues decreased, while mental and physical health both experienced improvements.
Measures of work-life balance improved. Respondents found it easier to balance their work with both family and social commitments, and were more satisfied with their household finances, relationships and how their time was being managed.
Other key business metrics showed signs of positive effects. Companies’ revenue stayed broadly the same, rising by 1.4% on average.
There was a substantial decline (57%) in the likelihood that an employee would quit, dramatically improving job retention.
There was a 65% reduction in the number of sick days
Around 2,900 employees took part in the six-month trial overall.
Tyler Grange managing director Simon Ursell said: "The UK has an unhealthy culture where it is seen as a badge of honour to work all the time, yet our productivity levels are low and younger talent – as well as the brilliant talent that we want to attract at all levels of our business - doesn’t want to be defined by a burnout life.
"One study shows that burnout is cited as one of the top three reasons for why young people are leaving their jobs.
"Almost half of Gen Zers (ages 19-24) and 24% of millennials (ages 28-39) said they feel burned out due to their work environments. We know that it’s particularly prevalent amongst female workers. But regardless of age and gender, it’s felt across the board, and it will continue to be a significant attraction and retention issue for employers unless some significant changes are made to how we work.
"We’ve always said that the four-day week isn’t for everyone, but it’s possible for many more sectors and companies – it simply requires re-thinking entrenched norms and changing workplace cultures. Trust is another key factor, but indications show that it’s likely the four-day week will become more mainstream, which is simply brilliant.
"As more companies that make the switch, more will certainly the inclination – or pressure - to do the same. We’ve already been approached by a number of businesses to share our advice and learnings – helping them to determine how they too can make the switch to a three-day weekend.
"We’re able to demonstrate, first-hand, how challenges of the four-day working week can be overcome and the many holistic benefits that can be enjoyed as a result. Employers really shouldn’t be afraid of it – they should embrace it.
"Change is uncomfortable and transitioning to a four-day week has provoked negative responses amongst some. I suppose that’s the nature of it; that it’s necessary to make people feel uncomfortable in order to change.
"We’re here to do what’s right for our people, planet, and our clients. We believe that making the four-day week permanent is the right thing to do, even if it’s seen as disruptive."
Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, added: "This is a major breakthrough moment for the movement towards a four-day working week.
"Across a wide variety of different sectors of the economy, these incredible results show that the four-day week with no loss of pay really works.
"Surely the time has now come to begin rolling it out across the country."
Charlotte Lockhart, 4 Day Week Global co-founder and managing director, said: "We're delighted to add these overwhelmingly positive results to our ever-growing evidence base in favour of reduced-hour, output-focused working.
"Not only do these findings demonstrate that the UK pilot programme was a resounding success, but it is encouraging to note that they largely mirror the outcomes from our earlier trials in Ireland and the US, further strengthening the arguments for a four-day week.
"While the impacts on business performance and worker wellbeing are expected and welcome, it's particularly interesting to observe the diversity in findings across various industries.
"These results, combined with our previous research demonstrate that non-profit and professional service employees had a larger increase in time spent exercising, while the small group of construction/manufacturing workers had the biggest reduction in burnout and sleep problems. Certainly something to explore further in future pilots."
Dr David Frayne, research associate at University of Cambridge, added: "The method of this pilot allowed our researchers to go beyond surveys and look in detail at how the companies were making things work on the ground.
"We feel really encouraged by the results, which showed the many ways companies were turning the four-day week from a dream into a realistic policy, with multiple benefits. We think there is a lot here that ought to motivate other companies and industries to give it a try."
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