British Employers Stick with Four-Day Week after Successful Pilot.
Four-day work week.
Script:
Dozens of British employers have decided to stick with a four-day working week after a successful pilot, which was hailed as a breakthrough by campaigners for better work-life balance. The trial was the largest in the world, according to a British-based research organization called Autonomy. Employees at 61 companies across Britain worked an average of 34 hours across four days between June and December 2022, while earning their existing salary. Of those, 56 companies, or 92%, opted to continue with the four-day week, with 18 of them making it a permanent policy.The trial covered 2,900 staff across different sectors, including finance company Stellar Asset Management, digital manufacturer Rivelin Robotics, and a fish-and-chip shop in the coastal town of Wells-next-the-sea. The majority of staff agreed that productivity had been maintained, while their well-being and work-life balance had improved. The data showed that employees were much less likely to quit their jobs as a result of the four-day week policy.
The trial reflects growing scrutiny of how people work, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. In recent years, some larger global corporates have trialed a four-day approach and reported successful outcomes. Microsoft piloted it in Japan for a month in 2019, while consumer goods giant Unilever carried out a year-long trial in New Zealand in 2020. However, corporate Britain as a whole does not appear keen on a four-day week. When the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development surveyed members last year, it found very few employers expect to move to a four-day week in the next three years, and two-thirds expected no change in the next decade.
"productivity and well-being can be maintained"
Despite this, evidence that a four-day week helps to retain staff could prove powerful for companies struggling to recruit workers since the pandemic. “That should give us a competitive advantage,” a senior manager at an insurance firm in the trial said of the evidence of worker retention from a four-day week.This news may be interesting to companies looking to improve work-life balance for their employees. The trial covered a variety of sectors, and the results showed that productivity and well-being can be maintained while working fewer hours.
Questions:
Part 1: Comprehension
Read and summarize the article thinking of who, what, when, where & why.
Part 2: True or False Questions
a) True or False - The trial covered over 100 companies across Britain. T/F
b) True or False - The trails were held across a variety of different sectors. T/F
c) True or False - The trial showed that productivity had decreased as a result of the four-day week policy. T/F
d) True or False - Corporate Britain as a whole appears keen on a four-day week. T/F
Part 3a: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary/phrases.
a) "Opted"
b) "Scrutiny"
c) "Trialed"
d) "Retention"
Part 3b: Vocabulary in Use: Write an example sentence using the words from 3a.
a) Opted:
b) Scrutiny:
c) Trialed:
d) Retention:
Part 5: Talking Points
Part 6: Role play Scenarios
In this scenario, roleplay as an employer and employee negotiating the terms of a four-day work week. Discuss the benefits of the policy and come up with a plan that works for both parties.
Roleplay as employees in a company discussing the results of the trial and whether or not to implement a four-day work week. Discuss the pros and cons of the policy and come to a group decision.
In this scenario, roleplay as a hiring manager and a job candidate. The job candidate can ask about the company's work-life balance policies and whether or not they offer a four-day work week. The hiring manager can discuss the results of the trial and how it has impacted the company.
Part 7: Writing Activity
Compare and Contrast - What are the advantages and disadvantages of working a 4 day week?
Part 8: Critical Thinking - 4 day work/school week.
The Government has proposed making Friday an official part of the weekend. There would be no school and no work on Friday’s meaning that weekends would now be Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In groups discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this proposal and create a debate strategy for your team.
Team A is for the proposal.
Team B is against the proposal.
Then as a class debate the proposal, and reach a consensus on whether to make Friday an official part of the weekend or not.
Answers:
Part 1: Comprehension
The main idea of the article is that dozens of British employers have decided to continue with a four-day working week after a successful pilot program that was hailed as a breakthrough by campaigners for better work-life balance. The article discusses the details of the pilot program, which was the largest in the world and covered 2,900 staff across different sectors. It also highlights the benefits of the four-day week, such as improved well-being and work-life balance, and increased employee retention. The article mentions that despite the success of the pilot program, corporate Britain as a whole does not appear keen on a four-day week, but evidence of its benefits could prove powerful for companies struggling to recruit workers since the pandemic. The article was likely written to inform readers about the results of the pilot program and to encourage companies to consider adopting a four-day week to improve the well-being and retention of their employees.
Part 2: True or False
A: False B: True C: False D: False
Part 3a: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary or phrases.
a) "Opted" Answer: This means to make a choice or decision. In the article, it refers to the 56 companies out of 61 that chose to continue with the four-day workweek after the successful pilot.
b) "Scrutiny" Answer: This refers to a critical examination or inspection of something. In the context of the article, it refers to the increasing attention being paid to the way people work, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
c) "Trialed" Answer: This means to test or experiment with something. In the article, it refers to larger global companies like Microsoft and Unilever that have tested a four-day approach and reported successful outcomes.
d) "Retention" Answer: This refers to the ability of a company to keep its employees. In the article, evidence suggests that a four-day workweek can help to improve employee retention rates.
Part 3b: Vocabulary in Use: Write an example sentence using the words from 3a. (examples)
a) Opted: She opted for a remote work arrangement to better balance her job and personal life.
b) Scrutiny: The company's financial records were under intense scrutiny during the audit.
c) Trialed: The new software was trialed by a small group of employees to assess its functionality and usability.
d) Retention: Employee retention is a key concern for many companies striving to keep their top talent.
Part 7: Writing (example)
Working a four-day week has several advantages. Firstly, it can improve work-life balance, giving employees more time for personal pursuits and reducing burnout. It can also lead to increased productivity, as employees often focus more on completing tasks efficiently to enjoy a longer weekend. Additionally, a shorter workweek can attract talent and boost employee morale, contributing to a positive company culture.However, there are also disadvantages to consider. One major drawback is the potential for reduced weekly income if the salary remains the same despite fewer workdays. Employers may also need to address scheduling challenges and potential disruptions in customer service or workflow. Lastly, not all industries or job roles can easily adapt to a four-day week, making it impractical for some businesses.
