More than 200,000 UK workers switch to four-day week since 2019

"More than 100,000 workers in the UK have switched to a full-time four-day week since the pandemic, in a further sign of the revolution in the world of work inspired by Covid, according to an analysis. Nearly 1.4 million people said they worked full-time on four days of the week between October and December 2024, an increase of more than 100,000 compared with the same period in 2019, when 1.29 million reported this work schedule, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)."

"Campaigners and some economists say a four-day week benefits workers by giving them more time to relax and putting less strain on their mental health, while helping businesses by making their staff more motivated and facilitating recruitment and retention. A further 100,000 people said they worked a part-time four-day week between October and December 2024 compared with the same period in 2019. As a result, the percentage of people in the UK who report working a four-day week has climbed from 9.8% in the final three months of 2019 to 10.9%, representing 2.7 million across full- and part-time work."

"The 4 Day Week Foundation, which campaigns for more businesses to take up shorter working weeks with no loss of pay for staff, has reported that more than 420 companies, employing more than 12,000 workers, have adopted a four-day week since the pandemic. This is based on the number of companies that have signed up to the foundation's employer accreditation scheme and those who have publicised their adoption of a shorter week. The foundation is calling for a four-day, 32-hour working week to become normal in Britain for all employees, without requiring a reduction in salary."

Nearly 1.4 million people reported working full-time on four days between October and December 2024, up from 1.29 million in the same period of 2019. An additional 100,000 people reported part-time four-day weeks in the same comparison, lifting the share of workers on four-day schedules from 9.8% to 10.9%, or 2.7 million people across full- and part-time roles. The statistics do not indicate whether shorter weeks involved compressed hours or pay reductions. Campaigners and some economists link four-day weeks to reduced mental-health strain, higher motivation, and improved recruitment and retention. The 4 Day Week Foundation reports over 420 companies and 12,000 employees adopting four-day weeks and advocates a 32-hour week without pay cuts.

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