In Europe the UK has the lowest rate of happy employees with only 64% of people stating they are happy in their current role. A four day working week could be the solution. Henley business school conducted research in which they concluded that companies with a four-day working week reported 78% were happier, 70% less stressed and 62% took fewer sick days.
Leeds company Charlton Morris have introduced a four day working week in which employees are paid the same and work the same hours, except the workload is spread over four day rather than five.
Compressed hours mean staff can still get their work done, just over a shorter period of time. Joanne Riden is a creative manager and says ‘I’m a lot more productive, I used to stretch my work out’.
Benefits aren’t just for employees either, the previous report found that the move to a four-day week has already saved UK businesses an estimated £92 billion annually.
A three day weekend means employees will have more free time rather than catching up on everyday tasks over their off-time on the weekend. Hassain Patel, who works as an office manager said he would use his free time to ‘read books and meet friends’ which he currently doesn’t have time for. According to Henley Business school, 40% of employees say they would use the time to up-skill or develop professional skills.
A shorter working week could even increase life expectancy. Medical research specialist Antibodies.com conducted research that shows that working more than 40 hours a week can take up to 2 years off your life. Employees who work 48 hours a week could lose up to 10 years off their life.
Trials continue over the country, but all of the statistics show an improvement in general quality of life for both employers and employees.
