A new UK study has found that a four-day work week is more productive than five for most employees and companies.
EFFECTIVELY: Has your company considered introducing a four-day work week? Photo: Illustration photo, Pexels.
More than 60 companies in the UK have been taking part for six months learning.
NTB has mentioned studies in Norway.
Huge increase in turnover
Nearly 3,000 employees were given the opportunity to work four days a week for the same pay as they worked five days a week.
And the result was clear: Nine out of ten participating companies either decided to continue a four-day week, or have stated plans to introduce it.
The reason may be that productivity has increased. This in turn resulted in increased turnover for the companies participating in this study. Turnover actually increased by 35 percent, compared to the same period the previous year.
– The results were largely the same across all workplaces and across companies of all sizes, indicating that this is something that works for many types of companies, said Professor Juliet Schor at the University of Cambridge, who led the study.
Improved mental health
The study also showed that absenteeism among employees fell by a four-day work week and fewer people left the company.
Employees also showed “significant” improvement in physical and mental health four days a week. In addition, they exercise more and enjoy themselves more at work.
Employees also reported less stress and sleep problems.
– Their mental health improves, they sleep better and are less tired, says Cambridge professor Brendan Burchell.
“Social media guru. Total beer fanatic. Tv ninja. Typical coffee fan. Amateur entrepreneur. Unapologetic food scholar.”
