Zarah ChoudharyMore than 200 companies in the UK, employing over 5,000 workers, have permanently adopted a four-day working week with no loss of pay according to the 4 Day Week Foundation.
These organisations have all been recognised as permanently accredited four-day week employers under the 4 Day Week Foundation’s Employer Accreditation Scheme.
Additionally, a survey conducted by Spark Market Research revealed that 78% of 18-34 year olds in the UK believe the four-day working week will become the norm within five years, with 68% of UK adults overall agreeing.
The four-day week movement gained momentum since the Covid pandemic, initially driven by the 4 Day Week Campaign, which has since evolved into The 4 Day Week Foundation.
Analysis of the 200 accredited companies by the Foundation showed that the sectors with the highest representation are Marketing, Advertising & PR (30 companies), Charity, Social Care & NGOs (29), Technology, IT & Software (24), and Business, Consulting & Management (22).
Other sectors are also making notable strides.
These include Creative Arts & Design (18 companies), Engineering & Manufacturing (12), Recruitment & HR (12), Entertainment (9), Accountancy, Banking & Finance (8), and Property Development, Trades & Construction (6).
Geographically, London leads with 59 accredited companies, followed by South East England (27), Scotland (25), South West England (24), and North West England (15).
While the number of workers benefiting directly under the 4 Day Week Foundation’s accreditation is just over 5,000, the true scale of adoption across the UK is much larger.
According to an Owl Labs survey of 2,000 UK workers conducted in July last year, 6% of full-time workers—approximately 1.5 million people—are already working a four-day week.
For example, South Cambridgeshire District Council, the first local authority in the UK to trial a four-day week, has over 600 staff on this schedule.
The 4 Day Week Foundation has announced plans to launch at least three new pilot schemes in 2025, furthering its mission to transform workplace culture and productivity.
With public support for the initiative continuing to grow, the four-day working week could soon become a defining feature of the UK’s employment landscape.
Joe Ryle, campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said: “With 50% more free time, a four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives.
“As hundreds of British companies and one local council have already shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay can be a win-win for both workers and employers.
“The 9-5, 5 day working week was invented 100 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose. We are long overdue an update.”
Lynsey Carolan, managing director of Spark Market Research, said: “Our survey clearly shows a desire for change in traditional working patterns. 18-34’s, the core workforce of the next 50 years, are making their feelings known that they don’t intend to go back to old fashioned working patterns when there’s other options now available.
“This group also say that mental health and improving their overall wellbeing are their top priorities, so a four-day week is a really meaningful benefit and a key enabler of their overall quality of life.”
