UK Rethinks Work: ‘The New Frontier For Competition is Quality of Life’
Can a four-day work week improve performance? The UK is about to find out
By | Madeline Garfinkle | www.entrepreneur.com
More than 3,000 workers in the United Kingdom — from corporate desk jobs to retail employees — are getting an extra day off. This week, the UK launched the largest experiment of its kind: a four-day work week.
Organized by nonprofits 4 Day Week Global and 4 Day Week UK Campaign, thousands of workers across 70 companies will take part in the trial, which is based on the 100-80-100 rule (employees will work 80% of their time for 100% of their pay — given they still deliver 100% of their expected output).
Related: Is the 4-Day Work Week Better? Evidence Points to Yes.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, more and more companies are recognizing 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,” Joe O’Connor, chief executive of 4 Day Week Global, said in a statement.
The four-day work week has emerged as a new perk, stemming from a tight labor market and a ruthless battle for talent. But there could be more to the incentive than just attracting quality new hires.