Productivity Soars on Four-Day Work Week, Say Experts

You’re likely reading this as your weekend begins — but imagine if it had started a day earlier, every single week. Tempting, right?

That could soon become a regular reality for many UK workers, as the shift toward a four-day workweek continues to gain momentum.

This year, 17 companies from various sectors took part in a new trial organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation. Nearly 1,000 employees participated, all receiving their full pay despite the reduced hours. Following the conclusion of the study, every participating business chose to continue with the four-day model — echoing the success of a previous trial in which 5,000 workers made the switch permanent.

Not all companies in the trial adopted a standard four-day week—some experimented with nine-day fortnights instead. And it’s clear that certain industries will face greater hurdles when it comes to changing shift patterns and regulatory frameworks.

Still, the early feedback has been largely positive. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of employees involved in the trial reported a decrease in how often they felt burned out.

Many participating firms cited improved customer satisfaction and employee performance as reasons to continue with the shorter week, with at least one company predicting widespread adoption within the next ten years.

Vicky Walker, chief people officer at Westfield Health, told The Independent that less time at work has actually led to greater productivity.

“Research shows that shorter workweeks can improve focus and efficiency. Employees tend to be more motivated to complete tasks and perform better. There's growing recognition of the importance of flexibility and work-life balance, and this trial reflects progress in that direction,” Walker explained.

She also noted that flexible working arrangements can help businesses attract and retain talent—a key priority for many organisations.

However, broader adoption still requires careful consideration by both employers and the wider economy.

“What truly matters to the economy is total hours worked multiplied by productivity per hour,” said Thomas Pugh, chief economist at RSM UK. “If people are simply compressing the same hours into fewer days, then the economic impact is minimal. But if they achieve the same output in fewer hours, that could mean increased productivity—but potentially at the cost of overall output due to fewer working hours.”

Pugh likened this approach to the French model and pointed out a natural question it raises: “If workers can be as productive in four days, why not apply that same productivity over five?”

There are also practical concerns—such as whether employees would prefer their day off to fall midweek, and whether businesses’ operating hours would remain aligned with those of clients. Pugh stressed that while interesting, the four-day week is not a “fix for the UK’s economic challenges.”

Andrew Timpson, a tax partner at RSM, highlighted further implications if reduced hours come with reduced salaries—not just for individual workers but for government revenues.

“If base salaries fall, it could affect pension contributions and salary sacrifice schemes. A lower income may also drop some workers below tax thresholds, affecting personal allowance eligibility and benefits like child support,” he explained.

Beyond financial issues, lifestyle factors have become central to the discussion.

A recent study by BHN Extras found that 34% of UK workers would accept lower pay in exchange for a shorter commute—though only 23% actually enjoy commuting. The impact was reportedly more pronounced in London, raising the question: would cutting out a day's commute each week be a major incentive across the board?

The four-day workweek won’t suit every company or individual. The upfront costs of implementation and the challenge of restructuring work schedules may deter some. Not to mention, there will be managers resistant to even considering such a change.

Nevertheless, much like remote work, hot-desking, and zero-hours contracts before it, the four-day week is likely to become a fixture of the evolving UK work culture—and, as with those trends, spark ongoing debate.