Thrive, a tech company, recently joined the UK’s first trial of a four-day work week, and the findings are promising. The study, done in collaboration with the University of Sussex, involved 115 Thrive employees from July to October 2024. Researchers conducted various tests, including MRI scans and sleep tracking, alongside weekly surveys about workplace experiences and wellbeing.
Customer feedback also played a significant role. Thrive, which provides an AI-driven learning management system, wanted to see how the shorter work week affected service quality. They assessed sales and productivity metrics to measure the trial’s impact on the business.
Results showed significant improvements in employee wellbeing. Sleep problems went down by 20%, stress levels decreased by 8.6%, emotional exhaustion dropped by 14.7%, and anxiety symptoms fell by 5%. These changes suggest the four-day work week can enhance work-life balance.
Charlotte Rae, the research lead at the University of Sussex, highlighted the transformative effects of this model on both mental and physical health. Improved sleep and lower stress levels can greatly influence overall health and wellbeing, both at work and home.
On productivity, the trial indicated that even with fewer hours, employees met their goals effectively, feeling more capable and confident in their roles. Cassie Gasson, Thrive’s co-CEO, noted that being a tech-focused firm gave them an edge in implementing these changes. They effectively utilized AI to streamline tasks, emphasizing important projects.
Gasson acknowledged that while Thrive has the tools for a successful four-day week, the right company culture is crucial for long-term sustainability. It’s clear that this approach may not fit every business model, and Thrive is keen on balancing flexibility with customer needs.
Despite the positive feedback on employee wellbeing and productivity, Gasson pointed out a challenge: providing consistent service when many companies still operate on traditional five-day schedules. The trial reinforced that for Thrive, customer needs drive their ability to implement changes.
She believes the UK government should consider policies supporting a four-day work week. The advantages are clear—boosted productivity, enhanced wellbeing, and overall greater happiness for workers.
In May 2022, over 3,000 workers participated in a six-month trial involving 60 companies, revealing similar positive outcomes. Many tech firms reported increased productivity, attracting and retaining talent. Despite some challenges, like in sectors requiring constant coverage, most organizations opted to keep the reduced hours.
Before this, Iceland conducted a major trial with 2,500 workers, finding maintained or improved productivity across various workplaces.
Recently, a report from Autonomy discussed how AI tools could potentially shorten work weeks, emphasizing the importance of political action to make this a reality. Historically, even as productivity has risen, people have not seen equivalent increases in wealth or free time, often due to economic inequality.
Though fears of AI leading to job losses loom large, there’s potential for these advancements to bring about shorter work weeks while maintaining pay and productivity. Several IT firms, including Civo and Atom, have already embraced this model, citing the benefits of a four-day work week.
