The United Kingdom is testing a pilot experiment programme with only 4 days workweek. This is a six-month long pilot program which is claimed the largest of its kind. Companies in the United Kingdom will see how a four-day work week affects their productivity and employee happiness. This means thousands of workers in the UK will be able to savor an extra day off, with no reduction in pay.
Over 3,300 employees from 70 different companies are participating in the UK trial of the four-day work week. This is according to a press release from 4 Day Week Global, the nonprofit that’s organizing the research around this most recent effort to examine cutting one day of work. 4 Day Week Global says this is the biggest pilot program of its kind, where, as long as workers maintain 100% of their productivity, they will also maintain 100% of their salary while working 80% of the traditional work week. Companies involved range from large corporations to online retail, food, beverage and hospitality services, digital marketing and many more.
Researchers will monitor and measure the impact on productivity as well as the wellbeing of the workers, the impact on the environment, and the impact on gender equality over the course of the trial. Further government-backed pilots are expected to start later this year in Spain and Scotland, according to 4 Day Week Global.