Thousands of workers will begin a four-day work week trial from today in the UK.
The trial is the largest of its kind in the world with more than 70 companies signed up to test a shorter working week.
3,300 workers will be given 100% of their pay, for 80% of their time, on the the understanding that they maintain maximum productivity over the four days.
Those taking part span industries including banking, hospitality, care, IT, software training and even animation studios.
A four-day work week trial is beginning today in the UK. Credit: Unsplash
The six-month trial is organised by 4 Day Week Global, which is working in partnership with think tank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign, and a number of university researchers from Oxford, Cambridge, and Boston College.
Researchers will measure the impact on productivity and the wellbeing of staff, and also look at how a four-day working week affects the environment and gender equality.
Speaking on the start of the trial today, Joe O'Connor - CEO of 4 Day Week Global - said: "As we emerge from the pandemic, more and more companies are recognising that the new frontier for competition is quality of life, and that reduced-hour, output-focused working is the vehicle to give them a competitive edge.
"The impact of the ‘great resignation’ is now proving that workers from a diverse range of industries can produce better outcomes while working shorter and smarter."
Juliet Schor, professor of sociology at Boston College, and lead researcher on the pilot, also said that the four-day week is generally considered to be a "triple dividend policy" as it helps employees, companies, and the climate.
One of the companies taking part in the trial is Charity Bank, with its Chief Executive Ed Siegel saying the move to a four-day week "seems a natural next step" following the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained: "We have long been a champion of flexible working, but the pandemic really moved the goalposts in this regard.
"For Charity Bank, the move to a four-day week seems a natural next step.
"The 20th-century concept of a five-day working week is no longer the best fit for 21st-century business. We firmly believe that a four-day week with no change to salary or benefits will create a happier workforce and will have an equally positive impact on business productivity, customer experience and our social mission."
Government-backed four-day week trials are also due to begin later this year in Spain and Scotland.
Featured Image -Unsplash
UK News
‘This Yorkshire city has it all’ – Leeds crowned as one of the UK’s most underrated city breaks
Leeds has been named as one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK by Time Out.
It's time to cancel your city break to London, Edinburgh or wherever you think the grass is greener...because Leeds is now the place to beat.
A new article by Time Out has crowned Leeds as one of the most underrated locations for a UK city break, and we couldn't agree more.
The article praises Leeds for it's fabulous independent music venues, sprawling green spaces and standout restaurants.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
In fact, they perfectly paint out how your city break in Leeds could look. From seeing a gig at the Brudenell Social Club and enjoying dinner at the critically acclaimed Highland Laddie, to drinking at The Domino Club and exploring the 700-acre fields of Roundhay Park.
But don't just take our word for it, here's what the piece had to say about our wonderful city: "Anyone who has ever lived in Leeds already knows its brilliance. From unrivalled independent music venues to sprawling green spaces to quietly outstanding restaurants, this Yorkshire city has it all.
"But outside of God’s Own County, it’s not necessarily the first place people think of when planning a UK day trip or staycation...For starters, it’s the home of Brudenell Social Club, which Time Out recently crowned the greatest live music venue in the entire UK.
"Leeds’ food scene is something to behold, too. Bavette, with its perfectly prepared French fare, is Time Out’s favourite restaurant there (it recently earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its excellent value), closely followed by the uber-cool Empire Cafe, the wondrous Ox Club and the intimate Sushi Nakamura."
We agree with absolutely everything being said, and it's got us craving a city break in our very own city. You can read the full article here.
Trains from Leeds ‘extremely limited’ amid record-breaking heatwave
Daisy Jackson
‘Extremely limited’ train services are running across Yorkshire this week as the country melts in a record-breaking heatwave.
Northern has reached out to passengers to warn that a ‘significantly reduced’ number of trains are operating in and out of Leeds.
They’re urging people to avoid travelling at all unless your journey is ‘absolutely essential’.
And if you do have to travel, they’ve warned of ‘significantly longer waiting times, busy trains and short-notice cancellations’.
The disruption is set to continue all day today and into tomorrow, Friday 26 June, as temperatures up north are forecast to hit 34ºC and an Amber weather warning for extreme heat covers much of the country.
Northern has assured passengers that they ‘are doing everything we can to keep people moving as efficiently as possible’.
Passengers are encouraged to check their journey before setting off, carry water, and avoid peak times where possible.
If you chose not to take a planned journey, you can claim a full refund on your ticket, or travel on another day using Northern’s ticket easement.
You can see the full travel advice for Northern HERE.
Northern said in a notice to passengers: “Due to the continued extreme heat, we have significantly reduced the number of trains running on routes in and out of Manchester, and services remain in high demand. This will now continue into Friday, 26 June.
“We strongly recommend customers consider whether their journey is necessary and if customers do choose to travel this week, they are advised to prepare for significantly longer waiting times, busy trains and short-notice cancellations.
“We would ask all customers to only travel if your journey is absolutely essential and to check your full journey before setting off.”
Emily Sergeant -
6th June 2022 
