Why the Four-Day Week is Gaining Momentum 

Recent trials in the UK, including the 2022 national pilot involving nearly 3,000 employees, demonstrated some compelling outcomes: 

• Higher productivity – some companies reported revenue increases despite shorter hours. 

• Better employee well-being – burnout rates dropped significantly. 

• Lower staff turnover – happier employees tend to stay longer. 

Companies across the UK, from tech firms to local councils, are exploring the model, and some have permanently adopted it. 

HR Considerations for Businesses 

For businesses considering a shift to a four-day week, HR professionals need to evaluate: 

• Workload Management: Ensure that tasks and projects are reorganised to fit the shorter workweek. 

• Communication: Clear policies on core hours, availability, and client contact/deliverables are essential. 

• Performance Metrics: Move from measuring time spent to outcomes delivered. 

• Team Wellbeing: Shorter weeks can boost morale, reduce sick days, and improve engagement, but only if expectations are managed. 

A key HR insight: flexibility is just as important as reduction. Some companies offer compressed workweeks, others allow staggered days off, depending on roles and workloads. 

HR Considerations for Schools 

Schools operate differently, pupil learning schedules and statutory requirements make a strict four-day week trickier. Still, there could be creative ways to apply the concept: 

• Staff Wellbeing Days: Offering one day a month for teachers to focus on planning, training, or administrative tasks can reduce burnout and assist with recruitment and retention. 

• Flexible Scheduling: Rotating shorter days or half-days for staff while maintaining student contact hours. 

• Task Prioritisation: Focus on outcomes like lesson quality, student engagement, and learning objectives rather than clocked hours. 

HR leaders in education must balance staff well-being with the continuity of learning. A rigid four-day week may not always be feasible, but hybrid approaches can provide many of the benefits. Many teachers now have access to do their planning and preparation at home and some trusts offer up to 2 flexi days during the academic year, subject to the needs of the school. 

Challenges to Consider 

• Parent Expectations:  Parents and pupils expect availability every weekday during term time. 

• Coordination Across Teams: Ensuring coverage for critical roles requires careful planning. 

• Legal & Contractual Constraints: Employment contracts, national/local terms and conditions and union agreements may need a review. 

The Bottom Line 

The four-day week is more than a trend, it’s a shift in mindset, from hours worked to results achieved. For businesses, it can mean happier, more productive employees., but the challenge is that for a small business, how do they offer a regular one day a week off to their staff, when their clients need a service offer throughout the working week? This will be a real challenge, but there are options, such as the odd day off during the week, if the business can manage with some level of consolidated working. For schools, it can offer innovative ways to support teachers without compromising student learning, but that will mean a complete change in culture and mindset. 

HR professionals are key to making it work with thoughtful planning, clear communication, and a focus on outcomes.

#HR #wellbeing