EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
Chantel Emilius , Executive Director of Culture & Engagement at Freedom , explains her thoughts on a four-day week : It ' s been a turbulent few years for both employees and employers alike , from managing the uncertainties of the pandemic and the subsequent change in working conditions and expectations to the continuing cost of living crisis . We ’ re facing a decisive moment in working culture , with hybrid work becoming the norm , something many couldn ’ t have imagined pre-pandemic .
As external uncertainties have increased , the need for organisations to adapt quickly and take a human-led approach has never been more important . In the wake of ‘ quiet-quitting ’ and low staff engagement , organisations are responsible for ensuring their employees love working for them . In my experience , introducing the fourday working week has delivered positive results for our organisation and should be a model all businesses consider , if suitable .
People can and should work four days a week while being paid the same wage . In my role as Executive Director of Culture & Engagement at Freedom Services Group , I implemented a six-month trial of a four-day working week , resulting in a huge success and the permanent implementation of the scheme this January .
Starting in July 2022 , we piloted the four-day week with the same pay level , and the results speak for themselves . Our staff turnover rate is down to 6 % from 31 % and 80 % of our overall workforce opted into the programme . We saw overall productivity increase by 12.5 % in our operational areas !
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive as staff have commented that their overall wellbeing has improved , and burnout has decreased . Our staff can use the extra day a week to engage in passion projects , self-care and so on . We ’ ve even seen two of our staff set up their own businesses as they have more time to do so .
My advice to any business considering the four-day working week is to just go for it ! Ensure you ’ ve got a plan and the KPIs in place , considering your organisation ' s individual needs . Now that we ’ ve implemented the fourday working week permanently , the schedule is running on a rotational basis to ensure somebody from every department is available when necessary .
Chantel Emilius , Executive Director of Culture & Engagement at Freedom
It ’ s been so rewarding to see the benefits of this first-hand , proving there is both a tangible human and business case behind the fourday working week . Our culture has benefitted massively . Not to mention how this gives a competitive edge when recruiting top talent . The benefits are glaringly obvious , and I ’ d encourage other business leaders to make the four-day working week work for their business and employees where possible .
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF A FOUR-DAY WEEK ?
20 www . intelligentcxo . com