Four-day week jobs rise by 90% as UK companies begin trial | UK News

There has been an increase in the number of four-day week jobs over the past year, research suggests.

The report by job site CV-Library found that adverts for four-day week positions have jumped by around 90%, especially for work in sectors such as charities, sales, distribution and catering.

The findings come days after scores of companies launched a four-day week trial with no loss of pay for their staff, which will last six months.

Places with the biggest rise in four-day week jobs include the South West, Wales, the South East and London, according to CV-Library.

Lee Biggins, its chief executive, said: “We are seeing a huge increase in the number of four-day week jobs being posted.

“A year ago, these types of jobs were negligible.

“A lot has changed in both the economy and the job market over the last 12 months and employers are having to seek new ways of attracting new staff, over and above competitive pay and a pension.

“Time will tell if this draws in job seekers, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on application numbers.

“It’s also crucial to see the results of the trials in place and if a four-day working week is viable and sustainable for businesses and not just a short-term solution to attract and retain top talent.”

Firms from a variety of industries taking part in the four-day week trial starting this week, including banking, hospitality, care, and even animation studios.

They will still give their workers 100% of their pay, on the understanding that they maintain maximum productivity.

Juliet Schor, professor of sociology at Boston College, and lead researcher on the pilot, said: “The four-day week is generally considered to be a triple dividend policy – helping employees, companies, and the climate.

“Our research efforts will be digging into all of this.”

Joe O’Connor, chief executive of 4 Day Week Global, said Britain was at “the crest of a wave of global momentum behind the four-day week”, as people got used to being away from the office during the pandemic.

Talk of a four-day week in the UK does precede COVID, though, with Labour having pledged to introduce it within a decade had Jeremy Corbyn led the party to victory in the 2019 general election.