British companies have adopted the shortened work week and reaped good results. Led by the NGO 4 Day Week Global, the pilot project on 70 UK companies, along with the University of Cambridge, Boston College and local entities, will begin in 2022.
After six months, 92% of companies decided to cut back on the load. In Brazil, small businesses are also adopting this measure, see examples.
Small businesses adopt reduced hours
English language company Ebony English decided to reduce the workday when it realized that Friday was no longer a productive day, explains Marta Celestino, CEO. Then Ebony decided to cancel weekday work.
Celestino commented: “We understand that Friday can be a day of the week so that people can also do their personal things that require them to leave the house, and Saturday and Sunday are for rest rather than problem-solving days.”
Established in 2016, the company has 12 employees and is still in the process of transitioning to a reduced workload, which should be completed by the end of the term, but the change has been well received.
“The experience is positive, it makes the week lighter, people manage to organize themselves better in terms of time management and the balance between private life and work,” said Marta Celestino.
Communication and content strategist Experta has been practicing flexible hours with reduced workloads of up to 30 hours per week since its founding in January 2020.
Founded by women and 100% home-based, the company today has 20 employees across several states, of which only three are men. It differs from other companies that cut off Fridays, for example, in Experta, employees can choose the day off: “Each employee has his own peculiarities and has his own journey: I, for example, do not work on Fridays, because I did not have Anyone I leave my daughter with.”
Reduction makes companies more attractive, experts estimate
The reduction in working hours comes at the time of the necessary shift in the business model, which is evidenced by the publication of terms such as Great Resignation (mass resignations in the US) and Quiet Resignation (silent resignation), the organizational culture specialist evaluates. Karen Yoshida is Professor of Business Administration at Trevisan Business School.
“The proposal to reduce the working day to four days a week is based on the search for quality and balance in life. “The company is definitely becoming more attractive, so there is potential to reduce recruitment costs,” Yoshida said.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.