Does The UK Have A 4-Day Work Week? (Status: Trialing...)

Does the United Kingdom have a 4-day work week?

No.

The UK does not have a four-day work week. A group of private companies in the UK are trialing a four-day work week and there has been a bill proposed and discussed in the House of Commons, but there is no official four-day work week in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Why are people talking about a 4-day work week in the UK?

There are two reasons that the four-day work week is gaining popularity in the United Kingdom.

1) Through the end of 2022, 4 Day Week Global, a non-profit, ran a trial of the four-day work week with 70+ participating companies and more than 3,000 workers. The trial has received coverage by major publications around the world.

2) In September of 2022, A four-day work week bill was proposed by MP Peter Dowd. The bill started to be discussed in the House of Commons on October 18, 2022, without any resolution yet. Known as the “32 Hour Working Week Bill,” the proposal would reduce the maximum work week from 48 hours to 32 (ie. overtime pay would kick in at 32 hours per week).

“British workers are fed up with long working hours and low wages. It was almost exactly a century ago that British workers switched from working a six-day week to a five-day week. The time has come to move to a four-day week with no loss of pay.”
Labour MP Peter Dowd, United Kingdom

How many hours per week do people work in the UK?

The average work week in the United Kingdom is 25.6 hours.

In ranking countries from the shortest work week to the longest, UK ranks 10 out of 187 countries tracked by OECD (95th percentile).

9 countries have a shorter work week than the UK
177 countries have a longer work week than the UK

The average work work is calculated by taking the total annual hours worked per year divided by the average number of people in employment per year, divided by 52 weeks. Therefore, the average work week includes hours for full-time, part-time, and self-employed people. It is not the standard work week for full-time employees.

Source: OECD (2022), Hours worked (indicator). doi: 10.1787/47be1c78-en

View the average work hours per week for every country.

Have any 4-day work week bills been proposed in the UK?

Yes: The “32 Hour Working Week Bill” proposed in 2022.

MP Peter Dowd proposed a four-day work week bill to change the 1998 Working Time Regulations Act. The bill is still in discussion. Known as the “32 Hour Working Week Bill,” the proposal would reduce the maximum work week from 48 hours to 32 (ie. overtime pay would kick in at 32 hours per week).

Track every four-day work week bill around the world here.

Have there been any 4-day trials or studies done in the United Kingdom?

Yes.

A non-profit, 4 Day Week Global, conducted a trial with 70+ private companies (totally 3,000+ employees) in the United Kingdom during the second half of 2022. Participating companies provide a four-day work week with no loss in pay to their employees for the six-month trial, and then report back on changes in productivity, employee happiness, and more. The results will be published into a study.

The most well-known four-day work week studies have taken place in Iceland (a country-wide study), Spain (a three-year, €50 million study), Japan through Microsoft’s Japanese arm, and New Zealand through a private company called Perpetual Guardian.

Track every four-day work week study here.

How many companies in the UK have a 4-day work week?

63 UK companies have a permanent four-day work week*. An additional 70+ companies trialed the four-day work week during the second half of 2022.

*This figured is pulled from Buildremote’s database of four-day work week companies, the most comprehensive list available.

Here is a list of notable UK companies with a four-day work week:

Company	Policy	Jobs	Story
Think Productive	Permanent 40 Hours	Search Indeed for Think Productive jobs	November 1, 2011 United Kingdom: "Since November 2011, our UK team have worked to a 4 Day Week (4DW). At that time, we were one of only a handful of companies in the world to consciously ditch the 5-day work week in favour of a permanent 3-day weekend."
Administrate	Permanent 32 Hours	Search Administrate jobs	May 1, 2015 Scotland: "We found productivity to be unchanged - if not slightly improved - after implementing the four day work week," Peebles said. "Our goal is to build a company that brings success to our customers, team, and investors, and we believe that sustainable work habits are a key piece of that, hence the desire to make sure that our team has balance between work and the rest of their life. We still work incredibly hard - and smart - but only for 32 hours!"
CMG Technologies	Permanent 35 Hours		2017 United Kingdom: "A manufacturing firm in Suffolk has been running on a four-day week for the past five years, allowing staff to strike a better work-life balance while boosting productivity."
Advice Direct Scotland	Permanent 32 Hours		2018 Scotland: "David Rutherford, quality and compliance manager at Advice Direct Scotland, told the Herald: “The four-day working week has given staff more time to do what they love. I used my extra day off to take my six-month-old son swimming and go to one of his dentist appointments for the first time."
Blink	Permanent 35 Hours		2018 United Kingdom: "There is currently a four day working week campaign supported by firms that believe shorter working weeks will help both businesses and workers. Blink, Norwich-based marketing agency, introduced such an arrangement four years ago. Sam Wright, founder and managing director at Blink, said: "A few years ago I saw a few stories of people trying it."
Gracefruit	Permanent 32 Hours		January 2018 United Kingdom: "Staff at Elizabeth Carnahan’s Gracefruit, a cosmetics and soap-making supplies firm, return to work today after their festive break to a four-day week – with no loss of earnings. She said it would give staff at the Longcroft, Stirlingshire firm more time for family life, as well as cutting on-site emissions by a least a fifth."
Radioactive PR	Permanent 32 Hours	Search Radioactive PR jobs	June 21, 2018 United Kingdom: In a company blog post, founder Rich Leigh wrote these bullets: - Staff will be paid the same salary - Post-trial, if it’s something we implement full-time, annual leave would be contractually reduced by 20% to 20 days (staff currently get 25 days, plus bank holidays, plus their birthday off) - On bank holiday weeks, we will still work four-day weeks (there are eight bank holidays in a year) - Lunch hours will be reduced to 45 minutes.
Brett Nicholls Associates	Permanent 32 Hours		August 2018 Scotland: "You may be aware that since August 2018 we have been trialling a four day work week. The origins of this are mainly in David’s quest for work:life balance, and a TEDx talk we heard by Kirsty Wark, which motivated us to try the concept."
Reflect Digital	Permanent	Search Reflect Digital jobs	October 1, 2018 United Kingdom: "A year on from introducing a four-day-work-week, figures show productivity and staff wellbeing have both improved at the Kent-based digital marketing agency, Reflect Digital."
Elektra Lighting	Permanent 35 hours		2019 United Kingdom: "Currently we’re working flexibly from home but we do have a main office in Holborn we expect to return to on a part-time basis. Note that – major plus – for the last 3 years we’ve adopted revolutionary working practices and work a 4-day week. Yes, Fridays are off, every week; we work a full time 35-hour week spread over Monday to Thursday. We also have an in-house training programme and team structure to encourage your development."
MRL Consulting Group	Permanent 32 Hours	Search MRL jobs	May 13, 2019 United Kingdom: "MRL will be trialling a 4 day working week as of 13th May 2019. Our offices will be closed on Fridays. The trial will run for 6 months and, if successful, will become permanent after this time. There shall be no alteration to compensation or benefits for any employee of MRL."
STOP AIDS	Permanent 28 Hours		October 2019 United Kingdom: "After an 18-month pilot, STOPAIDS has become one of the first charities in England to implement a 28-hour working week. The results from the pilot conveyed that shorter working hours has improved staff well-being and staff productivity has stayed the same and in some cases, even improved. STOPAIDS began a 6-month pilot of the 28-hour week in October 2019. Staff retained the same amount of pay but with a reduced working time of 28-hours per week. We set up a a pilot with key performance indicators and hired an external evaluator. We evaluated initially after 6 months, just as Covid-19 had hit, and decided to extend the pilot so that we could see how our fundraising and long-term advocacy outcomes might be impacted."
JMK Solicitors	Permanent 32 Hours		January 6, 2020 United Kingdom "JMK Solicitors, Northern Ireland’s Number 1 Personal Injury Specialists, are amongst the first employers locally to announce they have reduced their working week for staff by 20% to a 4 day week, with no impact on pay after a two-year long research project. The firm based in Belfast and Newry who specialise in personal injury and road traffic accident claims, have reduced full time core working hours by a fifth, from 37.5 hours to 30 hours – but not reduced pay- from 6th January 2020."
STC Expeditions	Permanent 32 Hours		January 6, 2020 United Kingdom: "It’s January, it’s raining, and it’s dark, so why are the team at STC Expeditions in such high spirits? Well... Starting 6th January for 12 weeks, we are trialling a four-day week. All full-time employees, of which there are currently five in the company, will be cutting their hours by 20% whilst retaining full pay. A rota system will ensure the office remains open as usual from Monday to Friday."
Barefoot Architects	Permanent 32 Hours		January 16, 2020 United Kingdom: "We have therefore decided to implement a 4-day week - not just by cramming the same number of hours into four days as we previously worked in five, but by reducing the time we spend working to a 32-hour week."
SEOMG!	Permanent 32 Hours		February 13, 2020 United Kingdom: "At SEOMG! we are unique in this respect, as we ensure we work a four-day week with no pay loss – this allows the benefits of a full time job and the freedom of a part-time job."
Target Publishing	Permanent 32 Hours		March 1, 2020 United Kingdom: “Lockdown highlighted the importance of time with family. That’s why we’ve started a new four-day working week – without any reduction in pay – to help support our employees mental health, well-being and give them a healthier work-life balance.”
Punch Creative	Permanent 35 Hours		July 2020 United Kingdom: "At the start of July, we took the plunge to move to a four-day work week and so far, so good! In this month’s blog, we’re checking in with the Punch Bunch to see how the people behind the company are finding settling into their new lifestyle in these crucial first few weeks."
Morrisons	Permanent 40 Hours		July 17, 2020 United Kingdom: "Morrisons is reportedly set to shake-up its head office working practices by introducing four day weeks – although staff will still be required to work one Saturday a month. The changes include a reduction of weekly hours from 40 to 37.5 – working nine instead of eight hours a day over four days, plus a six-hour day one Saturday per month."
Vault City Brewing	Permanent 35 Hours		2021 United Kingdom: "The company has been trialling the shorter working week since last year. It is believed to be the first UK commercial brewery to introduce a four-day working week for staff."
Escape the City	Permanent 32 Hours		2021 United Kingdom "This month has seen many companies trial the 4-day-work week. It’s a campaign we love: Escape went from running a trial earlier in 2021 to becoming permanent adopters. We’re always looking to promote companies or ideas that understand how meaningful work can fit into the larger picture of someone’s life, and today we bring you both."
Autonomy	Permanent 32 Hours		January 17, 2021 United Kingdom: "We’re excited to announce the launch of a new Four-Day Week pilot programme taking place across the UK, working in partnership with 4 Day Week Global, Cambridge University, Oxford University, Boston College, and the 4 Day Week UK campaign."
Common Knowledge	Permanent 32 Hours		February 2021 United Kingdom: "About three months ago we decided to trial a four-day week, at no loss of pay, for all members. We recently reviewed our trial and it easily passed as a permanent change to our employment statuses. In this post, we'll outline how we did it, what we discovered in our trial and why the four-day week is an important step for any organisation."
Xaso	Permanent 32 Hours		March 2021 United Kingdom: "After reviewing the trial in full we decided to permanently implement the four-day working week; what we’ve seen internally, for us, the effect the schedule has as a whole more than outweighs the monetary value lost in potential profitability in the short term."
YWCA Scotland	Permanent 32 Hours		July 7, 2021 Scotland: "Our own Status of Young Women in Scotland 2020-2021 report revealed that 16-30 year-old women across the country recognise the importance of a healthier work-life balance, and the specific need for flexible working patterns to ensure a more accessible labour market for women at all stages of their careers. Following our own SYWS20-21 advice, as of this month (July 2021) we are transitioning our working pattern to a 4-day week across the organisation."
The UPAC Group	Permanent 32 Hours		July 27, 2021 United Kingdom: "After extensive research and trials, the management is set to formalise the four day working week with staff remaining on full salary, full holiday entitlement and all the benefits of working at a truly incredible company. The goal is to create the best possible working environment, inclusive of a work/life balance that makes The UPAC group the employer of choice for anyone who wishes to enjoy their career/job."
Evolved	Trial 32 Hours		August 2021 United Kingdom: "Our new 4-day week will run from the start of August 2021 through to the end of January 2022 – 6 months overall – to gather data on staff wellbeing, efficiency, and more. Should it be successful, our senior management team anticipates a permanent roll-out of the approach."
Reboot	Permanent 32 Hours	Search Reboot jobs	August 12, 2021 United Kingdom: "That’s why, in true Reboot fashion, we have already decided to embark on our next mission: saying goodbye to work on a Friday and welcoming the 4-day working week. Here is how and why."
Forward Space	Permanent 32 Hours		September 2021 United Kingdom: "In September 2021 Forward Space introduced a 4-day working pattern as part of its’ return from lockdown strategy. 6 months on, Gavin Eddy (CEO & Founder of Forward Space) shares his thoughts on how successful the shift has been and shares advice on how to make it work for you."
Venture Stream	Permanent 32 Hours		September 6, 2021 United Kingdom: "Beginning on Monday 6th September, we’ll be trialling the new four day working week for a three month period to see how both our staff and clients respond, but we have every intention of making the change permanent. There will be no loss of pay or benefits for the VS team, nor will they have to work longer days to facilitate the new structure. "
StreamGO	Permanent 32 Hours		November 22, 2021 United Kingdom: "The organisation’s 18 employees will initially move to a 32-hour working week from 35 hours as of 22 November in order to see how it affects operations, allowing the business to resolve any unforeseen challenges that may arise. It will then move to a four-day 28-hour week by mid-2022 with no alterations to pay or benefits, with staff effectively gaining more than 50 days of annual leave in addition to their existing allowance."
Team Custard Kraken	Permanent 32 Hours		January 20, 2022 United Kingdom: "As of today Team Custard Kraken is officially recognised as a 4 Day Week employer. The 4 Day Week movement aims to revolutionise the way we work by campaigning for a standard 4 day working week as opposed to the normal convention of 5 day weeks. The ultimate goal of this campaign is to relieve stress on work forces while also driving down the UK carbon footprint."
Arken.legal	Permanent 32 Hours		July 28, 2021 United Kingdom: "As highlighted above, employees feel a 4-day work week allows them to perfectly balance work and life. Thanks to the extra day off, people can better manage their time and approach work with more energy and enthusiasm."
Galt Pharmaceuticals	Permanent		August 4, 2021 United Kingdom: "We understand that life is work, but work doesn’t always have to consume life…And time is needed to recharge batteries and dedicate to the self and family," Barry Patel, CEO, said in a LinkedIn post.
Atom Bank	Permanent 34 Hours		November 1, 2021 England: "A British bank has adopted a four-day work week for all its employees without cutting pay, saying it's the largest UK company so far to make such a move. Atom Bank announced on Tuesday that it had also reduced the weekly hours of its 430 staff to 34 from 37.5 and expected most workers to take either Monday or Friday off."
Chief Nation	Permanent Optional 36.5 Hours	Search Chief Nation jobs	January 5, 2022 England: "As of today, we’re proud to offer a four-day working week option for all our employees with no reduction in salary. The move comes as we aim to further improve employee wellbeing, make our business more sustainable, and take account of the realities of flexible working."
Canon (UK)	Trial	Search Canon jobs	January 16, 2022 United Kingdom: "A British arm of the camera company Canon will this year become one of the latest businesses to trial a four-day working week with no loss of pay, as part of a six-month trial run by academics at the universities of Cambridge and Oxford."
448 Studio	Permanent 32 Hours		February 10, 2022 England: "Of course, Covid has had a huge impact on how we go about our work from day to day, but one of the positive effects is that it has shown businesses that there is huge potential to adapt and change. On the less positive side, it has also contributed towards this “great global resignation wave” that we are facing. 4 Day Work Week Global’s pilot programme manager, Joe O’Connor believes however that “reduced working time” could be the key to solving this problem now that employees want more freedom as life slowly returns to normal."
Slunks	Permanent 32 Hours		February 14, 2022 Wales: "Staff at Slunks in Morgan Arcade now work a four-day week for no less pay than for working five days. They are happier, more productive and provide a better service, said McCauley."
Hutch	Trial 32 Hours	Search Hutch jobs	February 17, 2022 England: "As part of the trail, The Rebel Racing developer will be moving from a 40 hour work week to 32 hours with no decrease in pay for 6 months."
Bulkhead	Trial	Search Bulkhead jobs	February 22, 2022 England: "This week marks the beginning of a 6 month trial of a 4 Day Work Week at BULKHEAD. We are proud to be the first British studio with over 100 developers to be trialing this at scale."
Charlton Morris	Permanent 35 Hours		Unknown United Kingdom: "A specialist search firm in Leeds has introduced a four-day week for all of its staff following a successful trial which aimed to encourage a ‘healthy work-life balance’. Charlton Morris announced their 93 employees and consults across the country would only work four days a week and retain their normal pay. They underwent a six-month trial in a bid to understand the effects of a shorter week on productivity - and found it improved people’s motivation at work."
Geeks For Social Change	Permanent 32 Hours		Unknown United Kingdom: "We are a 4-day-week employer, working 4 days a week for 6 hours (24 hours per week) because we think the 40 hour work week sucks and this is a more reasonable work/life balance. All staff work from home and choose the hours that suit them (within reason!)."
Highfield Professional Solutions	Trial 32 Hours		Unknown United Kingdom: "Highfield Professional Solutions, in Durley, began the three-month trial after responses from employees on the importance of work-life balance and wellbeing. There is no compressed schedule or loss of pay so everyone at Highfield works for four days while they are paid for five. The goal is to improve productivity between Mondays to Thursdays as well as employee satisfaction as the three-day weekend allows for more opportunities to relax and be with family."
PTHR	Permanent 32 Hours		Unknown United Kingdom: "At PTHR, they found that through flexibility in their approach to a four day week, as well as constant communication between employees about their needs and challenges, meant that any practical kinks were ironed out."
Resilience Brokers	Permanent 32 Hours		Unknown United Kingdom: "We aim to be effortlessly effective. We are a 4 day a week employer allowing everyone in the organisation time for wellness and mental health, when people bring their best selves and highest levels of creativity to do the best work of their careers, and just have fun.We embrace life long learning and curiosity, self reflection and critical thinking."
Reward Agency	Permanent 32 Hours	Search Reward Agency jobs	Unknown United Kingdom: "We operate on a 4 working day week - meaning we don't work Wednesdays. Why? Because 2 days working, 1 day off, 2 days working has made us all happier. Oh and pay isn't reduced and you get the same holiday entitlement."
Whyfield	Permanent 32 Hours	Search Whyfield jobs	April 4, 2022 England: "From 4th April 2022, Whyfield is moving to a four-day working week with a twist – our staff will be working a four-day week, but the office will still be open five days (Monday to Friday), plus we’re extending our opening hours to 8.30am – 5.30pm."
Marketing Signals	Permanent 32 Hours	Search Marketing Signals jobs	April 21, 2022 United Kingdom: "We already measure our teams based on output not attendance. We already work flexi time with our daily hours. We have added 30 minutes to each day and removed 1 full day per week. The working week becomes 32 hours not 37.5 hours."

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In which countries are the most 4-day companies located?

Right now, we have 177 four-day work week companies in our database across 20 countries. 38% of four-day work week companies are located in the United States, 36% are located in the United Kingdom, 7% are located in Canada. No other country takes more than a 3% share.

Here is an analysis of company adoption of the four-day work week by country.

View every country that has tested or implemented a four-day work week.

Learn more about the 4-day work week

I’ve personally run a four-day work week company since 2020. I’ve seen employee happiness and retention increase with no loss to productivity. Now I strive to provide the most comprehensive coverage of the four-day work week.

It seems that many individuals, companies, and countries are finally starting to question to standard, 40-hour work week for the first time in nearly a century. Follow along as we break down the trend.

Does The UK Have A 4-Day Work Week? (Status: Trialing…)

Does the United Kingdom have a 4-day work week?

Why are people talking about a 4-day work week in the UK?

How many hours per week do people work in the UK?

Have any 4-day work week bills been proposed in the UK?

Have there been any 4-day trials or studies done in the United Kingdom?

How many companies in the UK have a 4-day work week?

In which countries are the most 4-day companies located?

Learn more about the 4-day work week

The 32-Hour Work Week Moves Mainstream [Oct 2023]

Reshaping The Work Week w/ Joe O’Connor [VIDEO]

4-Day Work Week: The Complete Overview

How We Implemented The 4-Day Work Week, Step By Step

Does Spain Have A 4-Day Work Week? (Status: Stalled)

Every 4-Day Work Week Study (& Key Stats From Each)

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Does the United Kingdom have a 4-day work week?

Why are people talking about a 4-day work week in the UK?

How many hours per week do people work in the UK?

Have any 4-day work week bills been proposed in the UK?

Have there been any 4-day trials or studies done in the United Kingdom?

How many companies in the UK have a 4-day work week?

In which countries are the most 4-day companies located?

Learn more about the 4-day work week

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Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Reports

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