Joining the 4-day-week wave
First, the pandemic tipped the idea of an office on its head. Then came the Quiet Quitting movement. What followed was the brave thought that perhaps the 9 to 5, five-day working week may be outdated and no longer fit for purpose.
This is where the 100:80:100 model came in: 100% of the pay for 80% of the time, in exchange for a commitment to maintain 100% productivity. We’ve adopted it at the Quality of Life Foundation, and we’re not alone.
Last year, the world’s biggest four-day working week pilot programme was launched in the UK. 70 companies and over 3300 workers are currently testing a 32 hour, four-day week with no loss of pay. Numerous studies and trials have been undertaken globally, from Microsoft in Japan, to Buffer in the US, showing that a four-day week boosts productivity.
“A 4-day-week means I can concentrate solely on work during that time because I know I have an extra day for personal development, life admin, or medical appointments”, says Hani Salih, Researcher at the Quality of Life Foundation.
It’s not only the work-life juggle that eases. If you think about the reduction in carbon-intensive consumption patterns like commuting and ready-made-meals, while having more time to focus on our health and wellbeing, then the switch seems only logical.
Our director, Matthew Morgan says: “As an organisation we are committed to improving people’s quality of life, so being a four-day week organisation makes complete sense to us. We believe it gives everyone greater flexibility and agency in their lives at work and home, and is a significant contributing factor to us attracting and retaining a talented and committed team.”
Work to live, rather than live to work?
The Quality of Life Foundation is now accredited as a 4-day, 32 hour working week organisation with https://www.4dayweek.co.uk/
