UK’s Four-Day Work Week Trial Shows Promising Results, While Greece Enacts Longer Work Hours

• A UK trial of the four-day work week showed a 39% drop in turnover and improved worker health and engagement.
• In contrast, Greece implemented a 48-hour work week for select sectors to address productivity issues and worker shortages.

The trial for 15 months of the week-long work schedule of four days in the UK provides a substantial increase in the number of people who support the alternate timetable. The researchers who conducted the research found that the change not only decreased work hours but also dramatically increased the mental and physical well-being of employees.

The trial, which was initiated in the year 2000 by South Cambridgeshire District Council in the southeast of England was conducted by researchers from Cambridge as well as Salford Universities. A total number of 697 participants took part in the study. This study analyzed 24 different aspects to evaluate the trial’s effectiveness, and nearly all were positive with regards to the shorter hours of work.

One of the most notable results was the decrease of 39% in the turnover of staff between January 2023 and March 2024. In addition, the study resulted in a 53% growth in the number of applicants for positions that are open. Engagement, motivation as well as overall health saw notable improvement. It was remarkable that the council saved more than $475,000 during the course of the program and employees reported better levels of satisfaction.

The report noted “Some management professionals have observed that planning and conducting a four-day trial is an impetus for more creativity, change, innovation, and transformation. Collaboration has increased the effectiveness of their working methods within teams and have utilized communication tools in a different way and since colleagues take an ownership stake in the trial, they’ve been reported to feel valued and have experienced increased confidence.”

Even though the UK believes in a workweek that is four days long, Greece has taken an alternative method. This month, a 48-hour working week was enacted for certain employees. The change is applicable to certain factories and industrial facilities and also businesses that provide 24 hour services. This allows employees to extend their work hours beyond the five-day limit. Food services and tourist employees aren’t subject to extended work hours.

Changes to the laws governing labor were approved in September of last year as a reaction to the issues with productivity in Greece in which many employees were working longer hours without receiving proper pay. There is also an absence of skilled laborers due to the declining populace.

While the UK is embracing shorter working hours in order to improve the well-being of workers and efficiency, Greece is extending hours in specific sectors to tackle the economic issues. This contrast in approaches highlights the various strategies nations employ to address the unique issues that arise in their labor markets.