More than 3,300 workers at 70 companies, including fish and chip shops and financial institutions, today began working a four-day week as part of the world's largest trial into the shortened traditional working week.
The trail will run for six months and is organised by 4 Day Week Global, a group advocating a shorter working week without loss of wages, in collaboration with think tank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week Campaign, and researchers from Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Boston College.
The trial is based on the 100:80:100 paradigm, which allows for 100% pay for 80% of the time in exchange for 100% productivity.
Platten's Fish and Chips on the Norfolk coast is participating along with Sheffield software firm Rivelin Robotics, London-based inheritance tax experts Stellar Asset Management, and Charity Bank in Tonbridge, Kent.
Later this year, Spain and Scotland are to be begin testing four-day working weeks.
"The UK is at the crest of a wave of global momentum behind the four-day week," said Joe OConnor, chief executive of 4 Day Week Global.
"As we emerge from the pandemic, more and more companies are recognising that the new frontier for competition is quality of life, and that reduced-hour, output-focused working is the vehicle to give them a competitive edge."
Researchers will talk to each participating company about the impact on corporate productivity and employee satisfaction, as well as on the environment and gender equality.
Additionally, researchers will study how employees respond to an extra day off in terms of stress and burnout, work and life satisfaction, health, sleep, energy use, and travel.