February 21, 2023
The results of this vast British experiment were eagerly awaited. For six months, 61 companies tested the 4-day week without loss of pay. 92% decided to continue this new organization of working time.
Three-day weekends, seasonal variation in working hours, reduction of vacation days, 4-day week maintained only if performance objectives were met… The 61 British organizations involved in the experiment of the 20% reduction in working time work without loss of pay did not all use the same method. But following six months of full-scale testing, almost none would go back.
The figures from the report, coordinated by social scientists at the University of Cambridge and intended for British parliamentarians, speak for themselves. Thus, 71% of the 2,900 employees concerned declare that they are less prone to burnout and 39% less stressed. With a reduction in the number of days of sick leave (-65%) and the turn over in companies: 57% fewer employee departures in participating companies. Which even (slightly) increased their turnover during the test period: +1.4%.
Assessment of the experience: 56 companies out of 61 (92%) will continue it, and 18 (30%) have definitively adopted the 32-hour week. Companies representing various sectors: animation studio, fish and chipsconsulting, marketing, IT, recruitment companies…
Free time
Beyond the numbers, in-depth interviews were conducted with participants, both employees and business leaders, before, during and following the experiment. In addition to the effects on fatigue and stress, 62% of employees say they were more successful in reconciling work and family life during this period, and 60% welcomed a better balance between work and social life.
All also declared devoting more time to activities they already enjoyed: sports, cooking, music, volunteering… Some developed new interests, while others took advantage of this time to obtain new professional qualifications. .
“Nearly everyone we interviewed said they were inundated with questions from other organizations in their industry wanting to follow suit”, comments sociologist Brendan Burchell, of the University of Cambridge. Like many employers interviewed during the experiment, he is convinced of this: because it is synonymous with a better professional and family life for many people, “the 4-day week will prevail”.
To note : The reduction in the number and duration of meetings, the number of participants, the introduction of “periods of concentration without interruption”… are among the levers that have been most often activated in companies to maintain productivity despite the reduction in work time.
