A large-scale trial of the four-day work week is nearing completion in the UK, with over 70 companies participating in reducing their workforce's hours by twenty percent while maintaining the same compensation rates. The study's data has yet to be released, but initial anecdotal responses from the participating employers have been positive. The goal of this study was to help reframe and revitalize productivity in the workplace in the UK, as productivity levels have been stagnantly low for many years. Shortening the work week to four days was designed to test how productivity levels change when workers have more time to sleep and less pressure from stress or burnout. However, there are conflicting opinions on the four-day work week model, as some professionals are skeptical of the realities of imposing such a structure as well as the actualized productivity gains.
See "Various UK companies trial four-day work week with same pay in an attempt to increase worker productivity", Paddy Hirsch, NPR, November 15, 2022