South West sees biggest rise in four-day week jobs in…

South West sees biggest rise in four-day week jobs in UK

The South West has seen the biggest yearly rise in the number of four-day-week jobs than any other area of the country, new data has revealed.

Job postings in the region for four-day week roles are up 191.4% year-on-year, according to jobsite CV Library.

The news comes as thousands of workers begin a trial of a four-day working week, where they receive 100% pay for 80% of the hours.

More than 3,300 workers at 70 companies started working a four-day week, with no loss of pay, on Monday (June 6). It is thought to be the biggest-ever four-day week pilot to take place anywhere in the world.

The pilot is running for six months and is being organised by '4 Day Week Global' in partnership with think tank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign, and researchers at Cambridge University, Oxford University and Boston College.

Nationally, job postings for four-day week roles are up 90% as employers seek new ways to fill record vacancies. CV Library said all industries, except agriculture and personnel, had seen annual increases in four-day a week job postings, but the charity sector saw the biggest rise at 492%.

This was followed by the distribution industry (+373%), catering (+286%), sales (+247%), and administration (+214%).

Lee Biggins, founder and chief executive of CV Library, said: "We are seeing a huge increase in the number of four-day week jobs being posted. A year ago, these types of jobs were negligible. A lot has changed in both the economy and the job market over the last 12 months and employers are having to seek new ways of attracting new staff, over and above competitive pay and a pension."

In May, Bristol community interest company City to Sea, which campaigns to reduce plastic pollution, confirmed the move to a four-day week after running a trial and receiving positive feedback from staff.

Last year, Atom Bank became the largest UK four-day week employer with all 430 staff moving to a four-day, 34-hour working week, with no reduction in pay.

Mr Biggins said only "time will tell" if the four-day week attracts jobseekers.

He added: "We'll be keeping a close eye on application numbers. It's also crucial to see the results of the trials in place and if a four-day working week is viable and sustainable for businesses and not just a short-term solution to attract and retain top talent."