UK weighs compressed four-day workweek proposal

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — The United Kingdom government is evaluating a proposal that would allow employees to request a “compressed” four-day workweek. 

This initiative, part of Labour’s “New Deal for Working People,” is being spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in consultation with trade unions and businesses.

Key points of ‘compressed’ workweek proposal

• Employees could work their regular hours over four days instead of five
• Employers would be required to offer flexible working from day one
• The policy aims to improve work-life balance and maintain productivity

Education Minister Jacqui Smith clarified that while businesses would not be forced to accept such requests, they would be required to offer “compressed hours” as an option.

The proposed “compressed” workweek differs from a traditional four-day week in that it doesn’t reduce overall working hours. Instead, it allows employees to condense their typical five-day schedule into four days.

“We think that flexible working is actually good for productivity. So the four-day week that I know is on the front of quite a lot of newspapers today, what we’re actually talking about there is the type of flexible working that enables you to use compressed hours,” Smith explained.

Potential benefits and concerns

Proponents of the four-day workweek argue that it could lead to increased productivity and improved employee well-being. 

An extensive study by think tank Autonomy involving 61 companies showed promising results, with 89% of participants maintaining the four-day week policy a year later.

Joe Ryle, Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, welcomed the proposal but emphasized the need for further action. 

“It would only allow workers to compress their working hours rather than reduce them which we have found is key for improving work-life balance and also maintaining productivity,” Ryle stated.

Some argue that compressing the same number of hours into fewer days may not necessarily achieve the desired benefits.

“Labour must listen to businesses who are petrified about day one employment rights and bringing in the four-day week through the back door. It will be businesses and consumers who pay and growth that suffers if they don’t listen,” said Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory shadow business secretary.

Broader context of UK flexible work policies

This proposal is part of a larger trend towards flexible work arrangements in the UK. 

In July 2023, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill was passed. It granted employees the right to request flexible working from the first day of employment, from the previous law that required 26 weeks of continuous service before such requests could be made.

As the UK continues to lead the way in rethinking traditional work norms, the potential adoption of a compressed four-day workweek could signal a significant shift in how work is structured, not just in the UK, but globally.