Four-day week: ‘major breakthrough’ as most UK firms in trial extend changes

David Alatorre (left) and David Mason of Rivelin Robotics, which said it wanted to put wellbeing first. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer

The vast majority of companies taking part in the world’s largest trial of a four-day week have opted to continue with the new working pattern, in a result hailed as evidence that it could work across the UK economy.

Of the 61 companies that entered the six-month trial, 56 have extended the four-day week, including 18 who have made it permanent.