Staff rejuvenated by four-day working week - firm - Voice of Asia

An executive stated that allowing employees to work four days a week leaves her staff feeling "refreshed." Amy Spooner, from a marketing agency in Maldon, Essex, said the new shift policy introduced four years ago has been a success. This comes after more than 200 companies in the UK committed to permanently switching to a four-day work week without reducing pay.

Ms. Spooner, speaking to BBC Essex, said, "Everyone loves it, it makes people happy and want to stay." Businesses in the UK that have implemented a four-day work week span various sectors, from IT companies to charities, and collectively employ over 5,000 people. Ms. Spooner stated that her inspiration for making the change at VerriBerri, where she is an associate director, came from employees wanting more time to pursue "side hustles" and personal hobbies.

She explained that employees' days off are staggered so the company can still operate normally from Monday to Friday. "It makes people more productive because they know they need to get the work done. They come back refreshed after three days off," Ms. Spooner added.

South Cambridgeshire Council introduced a four-day work week for some staff in 2023. The initial pilot was mainly for office workers, but it has since been expanded to include refuse collection services. Joe Ryle, campaign director for the 4 Day Week Campaign, stated that the five-day work week is "100 years old and no longer fit for purpose."

Instead, his organization is pushing for a four-day work week with the same pay and benefits as a five-day week. He said, "As hundreds of UK companies and one local council have already shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay is a win-win for both workers and employers. A four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives."

Among the companies adopting the policy, 30 are in marketing and PR, and 29 are charities, NGOs, and social care companies. This is closely followed by 24 companies in the technology, IT, and software sector, while 22 companies in business, consulting, and management also offer a four-day work week to their employees.