National Work Life Week (10th – 14th October) is organised by Working Families, the UK’s work-life balance charity. This annual campaign is to get both employers and employees talking about well-being at work and work-life balance. It’s an opportunity for employers to show their employees, and potential candidates, how their organisation is striving for a family friendly and flexible working culture.
For 2022, the focus is on increasing access to flexible working, and finding the flex in every role.
Looking into the 4-day week
Last year, we wrote about the advantages of flexible or dynamic working, where workers can choose when and where they do their work. Barclay’s Bank highlights this promotion as a way of running a business.
In June of this year, over 70 companies around the country implemented a trial of a 4-day week on full pay. However, there are at least over 40 who already have a 4-day week as a working standard. These companies range across the board from banking, marketing, publishing, and manufacturing to a brewery and hospitality.
Last year, Atom Bank was the largest British employer to make the move to a permanent four-day week without reducing pay after trials in other countries showed it can be good for business.
Some firms, like Atom, squeeze five days’ hours into four longer days, while others have cut hours with full pay.
Research shows that employees can adopt a more flexible pattern with little or no drop in productivity.
The benefits for employers include reduced sickness absence and lower staff turnover, as well as slashing recruitment costs and attracting talented candidates who desire a better work-life balance.
Making the changes
A happy worker is a productive worker. You could reap the benefits by making a few changes to keeping your workforce happy.
If our HR and Employment team can help your business achieve this, then get in touch and see what we can do for you.