As a result of the pandemic and the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work, employers and researchers are testing out a four-day workweek. In the UK, 61 small-to-midsize companies have experimented with a four-day work week for six months. They have learned that 90% are continuing the test for another 6 months while 18 businesses planned to make it permanent.
Why it matters: The results of the study have been overwhelmingly positive. Organizations worked with their employees to make workdays more efficient so that employees were not overwhelmed. Many employees reported an overall improvement in their mental and physical health.
- Companies streamlined the workdays by reducing nonessential meetings, travel, and other inefficiencies during the workday.
- There is still a long way to go before the four-day workweek sees widespread adoption, but the participating companies report increased efficiency and a sharp drop in turnover rates.
