As a result of implementing the four-day work week at 60 companies in the UK for six months, male employees’ time to take care of their children increased by nearly 30%.
According to foreign media such as CNN on the 21st (local time), 61 companies in the UK introduced a four-day work week on a trial basis for six months from June last year.
Forday Week Global, a non-profit organization that hosted the project, conducted a survey of 1238 out of 2,900 participating employees, and found that male participants spent 27% more time taking care of their children. Female participants increased parenting time by 13%.
A survey found that 60% of all workers said that they could “better combine work and caregiving responsibilities” with a four-day work week.
Dr. Dale Wellerhan of Four Day Week Global explained that both men and women benefited from the four-day work week, but in general, women’s experiences were better in terms of reduced burnout, life and job satisfaction, and mental health.
The Washington Post (WP) diagnosed that “a reduction in working hours per week had a positive impact on gender equality.”
FordayweekGlobal conducted research jointly with Think Tank Atonemy, Fordayweek UK Campaign, Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Boston University.
According to the organizers, 92% of 61 companies decided to continue the 4-day work week even after the project is over.
71% of workers said their “burnout (extreme fatigue) level was reduced” and 40% reported a decrease in sleep disturbance. Companies’ sales also “stayed largely the same” over the six-month period, the study found.
As a result of this project, the WP predicted that reducing working hours would attract attention as a solution for companies in a situation where the burnout of employees and the ‘large retirement’ phenomenon has worsened due to the Corona 19 incident.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.