Work: the four-day week in the UK is a success

Successful test: 92% of British companies that committed to try the four-day week last June want to continue on this path. The think tank Autonomy, behind what is described as the world’s largest four-day week experiment, backed by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Boston College, presents its results on Tuesday 21 February before the House of Commons. Of 61 companies committed, 56 will stick to the four-day week and 18 say the system is now definitely adopted for them

The figures speak for themselves: a burnout rate down by 71%, a rate of departure from the company reduced by 57%, a reduction of 65% in the number of days of sick leave, levels of anxiety, fatigue and falling sleep problems. Many of the 2,900 employees affected describe a better balance between work and personal life, greater satisfaction with their personal relationships and even their finances.

All sectors are concerned

These companies had adopted the fact of having an extra day off while keeping the same salary. And not to impose in exchange longer working days, as is done in Belgium. Normal hours, four days a week, without loss of wages and surprises, the profits of the companies involved increased slightly, by 1.4%. Businesses of all styles: from local fish and chips to banks, new technologies and car repair.

For Pierre Larrouturou, MEP at the origin of this idea in 1993 and who now observes the phenomenon everywhere in Europe, for companies that have difficulty recruiting, the four days are a decisive argument. Since the health crisis, he says, there has been a yearning for a new balance between personal and professional life.