The government is considering a major shift in flexible working policies that could give full-time employees the right to request a four-day workweek. Under the proposed changes, employees would be able to compress their standard hours into a shorter, four-day schedule while maintaining their full salary. The initiative, reported first by the Daily Telegraph, aims to offer greater flexibility by allowing workers to achieve the same total hours in fewer days.
Concerns and Adjustments: Reactions to Proposed Flexible Working Changes
Conservative shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake has expressed concerns that businesses are deeply unsettled by the proposed changes. Despite these fears, government officials have assured that the new policy will not be mandated for staff or companies. A spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade emphasised that any adjustments to employment laws will involve consultation and collaboration with the business sector. They highlighted that the goal of the flexible working initiative is to boost productivity and encourage higher employment rates.
At present, employees have the option to request flexible working arrangements, though employers are only obligated to address these requests reasonably. Earlier this year, Morrisons discontinued its four-day workweek for head office employees due to feedback indicating dissatisfaction. The arrangement required staff to work some Saturdays, leading to numerous complaints. Similarly, Asda halted a four-day week pilot program in July after employees reported that the extended shifts were excessively strenuous.
Labor’s Ambitious Flexible Working Reforms Spark Debate
After securing victory earlier this year, Labour has committed to establishing flexible working as the default option for all employees from day one, with exceptions only in cases where it is not feasible. The details of this policy are expected to be unveiled this autumn as new workers’ rights legislation begins its legislative journey through Parliament. Labour’s planned reforms include repealing certain anti-trade union laws, curbing the use of zero-hours contracts, and broadening flexible working options.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hailed these proposed changes as a major advancement in workers’ rights, while Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has highlighted their potential economic benefits. Nonetheless, the Conservative opposition contends that these reforms may be detrimental to businesses and could lead to decreased productivity. Shadow Business Secretary Kevin Hollinrake has criticised the approach, suggesting it resembles costly French-style union regulations and could increase the cost of doing business in the UK.
Four-Day Workweek Trial Yields Mixed Results for UK Companies
In 2022, a number of UK businesses participated in a six-month trial of a four-day workweek, during which employees received their full salaries while working fewer hours. Tyler Grange, an environmental consultancy, was among the companies involved and announced in 2023 that it would continue with the new working arrangement. Managing Director Simon Ursell admitted that the initial month was challenging but noted significant benefits, including improved staff morale and an increase in job applications.
Conversely, the trial did not yield positive results for Mark Roderick’s company, Allcap, which specializes in engineering and industrial supplies. Roderick reported that employees faced intensified workloads on their working days, leaving them fatigued by the time their day off arrived. Additionally, managing coverage for absences due to holidays, illness, and caregiving responsibilities proved difficult, ultimately leading the company to abandon the experiment.
