About 70 British companies began the world’s largest beta test on Monday, according to regulators, for a four-day work week without pay cuts.
According to the British press, companies, from various sectors, such as banks, culinary arts and hospitality, have 30 thousand employees.
The test will last six months, according to British media, and will attempt to determine if the four-day work week can be conducted without any loss of productivity.
Companies will maintain employee compensation at 100% of salary during the test, which will be accompanied by university researchers, who will also check the impact on workers’ welfare.
The test is organized by the “4 Day Week Global” group – which campaigns to reduce working days – in partnership with the Autonomy Idea Lab and the universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Boston College.
Researchers who will follow through with the test will look at how workers respond to various factors, such as stress, job satisfaction, health, sleep, travel and energy levels.
The initiative will provide advice to participating companies on successful models and training, as well as periodic evaluations of results.
Ed Siegel, CEO of Charity Bank, who will take part in the testing, confirmed today that the covid-19 pandemic has brought about changes that provide business resilience.
“The concept of a five-day work week in the twentieth century is no longer relevant to twenty-first century businesses. We firmly believe that four days a week, without change in wages or benefits, will create a happier and more productive workforce. It will have a positive impact on productivity,” The businessman said.
