The short week works and is also convenient for the company, as evidenced by the largest test ever conducted

A team of social scientists from Cambridge has researched the world’s largest experiment with the four-day working week: in 2022, 61 UK companies have pledged to cut working hours by 20% for all employees to six months. without any decrease in wages. Here are the results

It increases productivity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as well as being beneficial to one’s social life: We’ve been hearing about the short work week for years, even just about its benefits, and now a study confirms it all.

One of the largest experiments conducted on Ben 61 British companies For six straight months in 2022, I actually highlighted a number of benefits It relates to four working days, including reducing stress and periods of illness.

About 71% of the employees said they had lower levels of burnout and 39% were less stressed than at the start of the experiment. The researchers also found a 65% decrease in sick days and a 57% decrease in the number of employees who left work compared to the same period in the previous year.

the report

there research It was carried out by a team of social scientists from the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with academics from Boston College in the US and with the Center for Autonomy Research. Numerous companies – from online retailers to financial service providers to animation studios to local shops – participated from all over the UK, with around 2900 employees who practically left a working day (while keeping the salary unchanged).

During the pilot study, the researchers conducted step-by-step interviews with the employees to assess the effects An extra day of free time And what emerged was that self-reported levels of anxiety and fatigue decreased significantly, while mental and physical health improved.

© University of Cambridge

© University of Cambridge

Many respondents said they found it easier Reconciling work, family and social obligations60% of employees found it easier to combine paid work with caring responsibilities, and 62% reported that it was easier to combine work and a social life.

We’re really encouraged by the results, which show the many ways companies have turned the four-day week from a dream into realpolitik, with multiple benefits, says David Frane, a research associate at the University of Cambridge.

The last gem? 56 companies out of 61 concerned decided to continue working for 4 days a week.

You can find the full report here.

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Source: University of Cambridge

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