WORKING for four days, and resting for three days? It can be done with no loss of revenue or deterioration in business performance in companies, according to a large scale pilot study in the United Kingdom.

It also led to reduced levels of burnout and stress and fewer resignations, among other benefits.  

The study was conducted by the non-profit group 4 Day Week Global, which seeks to provide a platform for people who support the idea of the four-day work week as the future of work. 

The UK study involved 61 companies and 2,900 workers who tried out the four-day work week for six months with no loss in pay. It was billed the largest in the world. 

The latest research adds to the data from other countries that the group has collected on the reduced working hours scheme. It brings the total number of pilot participants to 91 companies and 3,500 employees. 

How did it benefit companies?

The UK study reported that 92 percent of organizations would continue the four-day work week after the trial period. Of the five companies who did not want to continue, two said they wanted to extend their trials, while three said they were pausing it. 

The companies gave their overall experience of the trial a rating of 8.5/10. 

They scored business performance and productivity during the trial at 7.5/10.

When it comes to revenue, this rose 1.4 percent on average over the trial period. When compared to a similar period from previous years, companies’ revenue increased by 35 percent on average. 

The number of staff leaving fell by 57 percent during the trial period. 

Yes to reduced working hours 

Some 90 percent of employees wanted to continue the four-day work week, and 55 percent said there was an increase in their ability at work.

Some were more adamant. 15 percent said no amount of money would make them accept a five-day schedule at their next place of employment.  

Workers’ well-being 

The four-day work week also benefited workers.

The study said 71 percent of employees had reduced levels of burnout by the end of the trial, while 39 percent were less stressed. 

Some 43 percent said they had better mental health, while 54 percent had reduced negative emotions.

There were also 37 percent who reported better physical health. Another 46 percent were less fatigued, while 40 percent had reduced sleep difficulties. 

Work-life balance

The workers’ family life also benefited from the scheme.

A total of 73 percent said they had greater satisfaction with their time, while 60 percent were more able to combine paid work with care responsibilities. 

Some 62 percent also said it was easier to combine work with social life. 

Men also reported spending more time with their children. 

Overall results 

When the UK results are combined with the results of trials in other countries, 91 percent of the organizations would be continuing the four-day work week.

Revenue in these companies also rose by 35 percent over the trial period when compared with previous years. 

Hiring increased, while absenteeism decreased. Resignations and sick days also fell. 

The studies found some gender-based differences in the benefits for the four-day work week. 

Both men and women had better work experiences, but women’s improved outcomes were generally greater when it came to burnout, life and job satisfaction, mental health and reduced commuting time. 

Lead researcher and Boston College Professor Juliet Schor said there was consistency in the data. 

“Results are largely steady across workplaces of varying sizes, demonstrating this is an innovation which works for many types of organisations,” Schor said.