Four-Day Work Week: A Step Toward Stronger Workers’ Rights?

More and more people are starting to talk about flexibilities, to go back to the standard the UK government is debating whether full-time workers’ rights to reduce working time from five to four days a week. should be extended. This could potentially change the concept of the workforce where employees can pack their week into shorter days and retain their full hours and wages. However, the introduction of this change has generally been received with some sense of dissonance by both employees and businesses.

In the proposed four-day working week what will this entail?

In these schemes, an employee will be able to request a four-day working week while at the same time meeting the prescribed working hours during employment. For example, instead of working five, eight-hour days, employees may be asked to work four ten-hour days. Although such employees are not assured of approval, it can be seen that the shift is moving towards a more liberal use of flexible working conditions.

Since April 2011 UK employees can officially ask for flexible working from their first day in the workplace, but the organization does not have to request them. The government has stressed that the change will be implemented based on consultation with employers and employees and will guarantee that both sides can find a solution.

The Impact on Businesses

While some believe that changes in working patterns are a productivity booster, businesses are concerned about flexible working issues. Speaking to a representative of the Department of Trade and Commerce, it was revealed that most such projects are not mandated, rather the government will engage entrepreneurs to determine the viability of such ideas. Nevertheless, it still causes concern to some businesses as it can negatively impact the organizations’ performance standards and efficiency rates.

The Conservative Party has also raised its concerns. Some of its members claim businesses are “terrified” by the forced four-day weeks. For this argument, advocates such as current Education Minister Baroness Jackie Smith believe that even the flexibility of a shorter working week is better for productivity than poor health.

Advantages of the Four-Day Working Week

Working four days a week has the following possibilities for the employee: This enables them to have flexible work hours so they spend less time caring for children, and have individual time while not losing their paycheck. According to Baroness Jackie Smith, flexible working practices such as the use of four-day weeks could encourage more people to get a job.

Ben Wilmot, head of public policy at the CIPD, also embraced the flexible working of the workforce. He explains that with compressed hours, employees can balance work and other responsibilities in their lives and help companies retain their workforce. However, he cautions that such patterns can be sustained for long periods if both partners benefit from it.

The Current Flexible Working Landscape

Currently, an employee has the legal right to apply for a change in their working arrangements to allow for flexible working, but an employer has the right to reject a different specification due to a regulation. Employment lawyer Charlie Thompson also noted that under the new law, although it is still in draft legislative form, it may be more difficult for employers to deny such requests. Now, employers can easily reject such requests if they can show a reason why it would have a detrimental effect on the business.

Some organizations tried four-day work weeks earlier this year. However, such arrangements did not prove to be very successful. Some supermarket companies such as Morrisons & Asda tried the four-day week model and had to switch back because their workforce complained of overtime hours which were adversely affecting their morale.

A Step Toward Workers’ Rights Expansion

However, as the government determines the further impact of these proposed changes, more information will be released later in the year. A new law, which will provide a complete package of workers’ rights, is expected to go for parliamentary approval in the autumn session. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to increase the number of flexible working schemes in what he described as ‘the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation’.

Mixed Results from Four-Day Week Trials

Thus, some organizations have achieved the goal of implementing a four-day working week and other companies have faced difficulties. Tyler Grange, a UK-based environmental consultancy, also conducted a six-month trial to implement a four-day week in 2022 and has confirmed it will stay within the structure. The business also realized a high level of employee satisfaction and an increased focus on job opportunities within the company.

Nevertheless, not all businesses identified the compressed week as realistic. As director of engineering supplies company AllCap, Mark Roderick admits his company has had problems operating within the four-day working week model. He observed that many workers were exhausted by the end of the week and some of them were able to enjoy their weekend off as the week seemed very productive with very busy work days. Moreover, shift covering has turned into a problem that can lead to many difficulties, especially during illnesses and vacations.

Conclusion: The Future of the Four-Day Working Week

On the proposal for a four-day working week, arguments are still polarized, with the government weighing the benefits of the change on the one hand and the downsides businesses will face on the other. On the one hand, flexible working may have benefits such as work-life balance and increased employee satisfaction, while on the other hand, there should be a cut-off point for the same for the sake of employers. With the UK government planning to introduce more legislation regarding certain workers’ rights, the debate over the four-day week could change, thereby helping to create jobs in the country.