A proactive Stafford-based firm of accountants is trialling a four-day week.
After being impressed by the results of a recent nationwide pilot, Howards Chartered Certified Accountants decided to implement the scheme themselves.
One month later, staff are feeling more energised and say they have an improved work-life balance due to the shorter working week.
“The results so far indicate a very positive outcome,” said Rachael Wilson, Senior Manager. “We believe the four-day week will be beneficial in helping us to retain and attract new people.
“Feedback from our employees is showing that they are enjoying having their free days off and they have more energy when they come back to the office.
“They are appreciating the extra time they have with family and friends, and the additional free time.”
In all 25 out of Howards’ 35 staff have volunteered to take part in the trial, working 35 hours instead of 37 and a half and spreading their working hours over four days, for the same wage.
Howards are a growing progressive firm of Chartered Certified Accountants with a reputation for delivering compliance, tax advisory and valued added services to businesses.
The six-month UK pilot, which was launched last June, involved 61 companies of which 56 continued with the four-day week and 18 made it permanent.
The trial was conducted by 4 Day Week Global, a not-for-profit organisation founded in New Zealand, in partnership with think-tank Autonomy and the UK’s 4 Day Week Campaign.
The majority of employers who took part in the project say they have seen productivity levels maintained, together with improvements in staff retention and wellbeing.
Business revenue stayed broadly the same, there was a 65 per cent reduction in the number of sick days and 71 per cent of employees reported lower levels of burnout.
