Hugh: “Historic” Largest Ever Four-Day Work Week Trial Begins with 70 Companies on Board

What would you do with an extra day off? 3,300 British workers are participating in the largest trial of the four-day workweek. The six-month experiment will be looking at how the new schedule impacts stress, job and life satisfaction, travel, and energy use. 70 varied companies are participating, including charities, a brewery, a construction recruitment firm, and a game developer. A sociology professor calls the project “historic,” and adds that a four-day work week could benefit employees, companies, and the climate.

In this particular trial, companies are trying out the 100:80:100 model, meaning workers receive 100% of the usual pay for 80% of the usual work hours, with the goal of keeping productivity at 100%.

A similar experiment in 2015 in Iceland yielded overwhelmingly positive results. A four-day-workweek may benefit mental health and the environment while maintaining productivity levels.