Yesterday, the results of the four day working week initiative were released, a scheme that The Royal Society of Biology opted into last year.

The 4 Day Week Campaign used research and surveys to explore how a shorter working week impacts productivity and working conditions, and how the additional day off per week impacts work-life balance. Overall, the four day week has been a great success, with most companies carrying on with the new implementations, including RSB.

Some of the stats from the report include:

• Companies continuing with 4 day week: 92%
• Average revenue (vs last year): +35%
• Number of staff leaving job: -57%
• Improved physical health: 37%
• Improved mental health: 43%
• Reduced Burnout: 71%
• Reduced Stress: 39%

Dr Mark Downs CBiol CSci FRSB, chief executive of RSB, commented: “The four day week has given the opportunity to provide our employees with a better work-life balance, whether it’s spending quality time with family and friends, personal development with hobbies, or generally relaxing to reduce stress and burnout. Especially after the pandemic, workers now have different expectations around what constitutes a healthy life-work balance.

“We’ve seen that the pros outweigh the cons, as shown in the report, and we are glad to give our employees flexibility and more time to decompress for a better work-life balance.”

You can find and read the full results of the report here.