4-day working week: How does it work and could we see it in our lifetimes?

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Most of the UK companies that participated in a ground-breaking four-day working week trial have made the policy permanent, a new study shows. With a public sector pilot soon to arrive in Scotland, and South Cambridgeshire District Council already establishing shorter working hours, awareness of the four-day work week is growing year on year. He said: “If businesses have the budget to add to their offer to employees, then they will be considering the relative merits of reducing working hours compared to increasing pay, pensions or paid parental leave, as well as better supporting health and wellbeing.” Companies that trialled the four-day week all used slightly different models, however. Responding to the new report, a government spokesperson said: “We have no plans to introduce a four-day working week.” “Ultimately it is for employers and employees to agree what working arrangements work best for them, and we will be making changes to our flexible working legislation in April, including the right to request flexible working from day 1 of a new job.”