Four-day week will be norm for UK workers by 2030, most people believe

Four day weeks will be the norm for British workers by 2030, most people believe.

A new survey found 58% of the public expects it to be the standard way of working within seven years - compared to 22% who think it won't.

It follows a trial earlier this year saw 61 companies trial the move, with almost of them opting to continue.

And South Cambridgeshire District Council became the first local authority to try it out, with leaders now weighing up whether to continue for another year.

A survey carried out by polling firm Survation on behalf of the 4 Day Week Campaign found 65% support the Government bringing in a four-day week with no loss of pay.

Joe Ryle, Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: “The results of the UK four-day week trial showed that a four-day week with no loss of pay is a win-win for both workers and employers.

Most companies that took part in a trial decided to continue (file image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“We are long overdue an update to working hours and the British public are ready to say goodbye to the outdated 9-5, 5 day working week.

“Moving the economy to a four-day week would give everyone the time to be able to live much happier and more fulfilled lives."

In February results from a six month scheme involving 61 companies, found that 56 - or 92% - had decided to continue with a four-day week.

Among those 18 confirmed the policy would be a permanent change.

Involving over 2,900 workers, the study claimed that stress among employees reduced significantly, with a huge 71% reporting lower levels of burnout.

The study found there was a substantial decline - 57% - in the likelihood an employee would quit.

Companies' revenue stayed broadly the same, the report said, with some seeing a rise of 1.4% on average.

The study - led by the think-tank Autonomy and research teams from Boston College and the University of Cambridge - also found a reduction in sick days.

Dr David Frayne, research associate at the University of Cambridge, said at the time: “The method of this pilot allowed our researchers to go beyond surveys and look in detail at how the companies were making things work on the ground.

"We feel really encouraged by the results, which showed the many ways companies were turning the four-day week from a dream into a realistic policy, with multiple benefits.

"We think there is a lot here that ought to motivate other companies and industries to give it a try".