Companies trialling 4-day working week confirm it’s ‘chaos’ and ‘won’t continue’
Companies taking part in the four-day working week trial say that it isn’t working and likely “won’t carry on”.
A total of 70 companies and 3,000 employees in the UK are trialling the shorter working week, but feedback has been so poor that the trial may be cut short for some businesses.
Experiences of “rota chaos” and extreme confusion with the pace of a shorter working week were cited as reasons.
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Head of communications company Unit, Samantha Losey, said the trial had been off to a “bumpy” start and that it would likely not be carried on after it eventually comes to an end.
(Image: Getty Images)
Ms Losey said: “It’s more likely that we won’t carry on now. One of the things that has struck me is whether or not we are a mature enough business to be able to handle the four-day week.
“The rest of the world not doing four-day weeks makes it challenging.
“We agreed we’d go all the way through the pilot, but I’m questioning whether this is the right thing for us long term. It’s been bumpy for sure.”
The new system and trial has also reportedly troubled the recruitment process, as businesses cannot confirm whether a four-day week will continue after the trial.
Media boss Claire Daniels was reported by Daily Mail as saying: “The only challenge is in recruitment currently as we cannot guarantee that we will continue the four-day week pilot scheme.”
Thousands of workers are involved with the new system under the six-month 4 Day Week Global non-profit trial, LADBible reported.
A four-day week is said to boost “business productivity, worker health outcomes, stronger families and communities, challenge the gender equality issues” – and make a more sustainable working environment.
Pilot programme manager Joe O’Connor said: “The four-day week challenges the current model of work and helps companies move away from simply measuring how long people are ‘at work’, to a sharper focus on the output being produced.
“2022 will be the year that heralds in this bold new future of work.”
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