British Companies Were the First to Try the Four-Day Workweek. Now They Want It to Become Law

The story began in 2022, when the UK became one of the first countries to conduct a pilot program—the largest of its kind—reducing the workweek from five to four days with no reduction in pay. Seventy companies participated, and the initial results were so promising that many expanded the program. Today, the benefits are so well-established that discussions of a legal framework are underway.

Four-day workweek. Several British companies, including BrandPipe and Rook Irwin Sweeney, are extending the four-day workweek as part of a six-month pilot organized by the advocacy group 4 Day Week.

The pilot seeks to improve employees’ quality of life, reduce stress, and increase productivity while assessing the long-term viability of the shortened workweek. Following the 2022 pilot, in which 92% of participating companies adopted the four-day schedule, this extension aims to establish the framework for making it a legal standard in the UK.

Context of the original pilot. Between June and December 2022, the UK launched a pilot test led by 4 Day Week Global. Companies followed a 100-80-100 model—100% pay, 80% working hours, and 100% productivity. The pilot began with six months of preparation, including process optimization and digitalization, followed by six months of a reduced 32-hour workweek.

Promising results. The UK pilot set itself apart by continuing to collect data from the 61 participating companies to monitor long-term effects. According to the lead researchers, 89% of companies have maintained the reduced schedule, and 51% have made it permanent.

“In this study, it has been clear the four-day week is not just a flash in the pan: companies around the UK have successfully been ‘making it stick,’” the report’s authors concluded. With the pilot extension, proponents aim to gather the necessary data to propose legislation for a four-day workweek.

Expansion efforts. Several companies, such as BrandPipe, a fully remote operation, have tailored their approach to ensure continuity. According to The New York Times, BrandPipe allowed employees to choose their day off while holding workshops to prepare for the transition. Customers were informed in advance to avoid disruptions. Co-founder Geoff Slaughter noted that the strategy aims to bring employees back to work with “fresher minds” and foster a more efficient environment.

At Rook Irwin Sweeney, a law firm, employees enjoy Fridays off every two weeks, with operational adjustments to meet legal deadlines. The firm has implemented blocks of uninterrupted work time and strict meeting agendas to improve focus. Partner Anne-Marie Irwin told the Times that these practices challenge the culture of long hours and burnout in the legal profession.

Impact on employees and businesses. For employees like Matt Kimber, an engineer at BrandPipe, the extra day off has alleviated the pressure of maximizing weekends and improved workplace morale. Lawyer Jennifer Wright of Rook Irwin Sweeney admitted the initial transition was challenging but said the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

Employees have used the additional time for personal activities, enhancing overall well-being. Businesses have also reported efficiency gains. At BrandPipe, projects that once took two weeks now take just over one. Customers have expressed satisfaction, with some even seeking to collaborate with the company. Rook Irwin Sweeney has increased billable hours, demonstrating that productivity is not only sustained but improved.

Looking ahead. The 2022 experiment revealed significant reductions in employee stress and burnout, with no negative impact on revenue. Based on this success, the program has been extended by six months to build a case for lawmakers to make the four-day workweek a legal standard before the decade’s end.

As the Times notes, early results from the extension are encouraging. Slaughter remarked that the change has revitalized his team and improved morale. Although Rook Irwin Sweeney’s leadership continues to evaluate permanent adoption, initial outcomes suggest a successful transition.

The UK’s four-day workweek pilots could profoundly reshape work dynamics, balancing productivity with employee well-being. While challenges remain, the model demonstrates a promising future for redefining work-life balance in Britain and beyond.

Image | UK Parliament

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