Four-day work week? Well, it’s very on-brand for us – it’s even in our name! Over a year ago, we made the bold move to adopt a four-day working week at Four Recruitment. This blog explores why more businesses are embracing this change, the benefits we’ve experienced, and how this approach is reshaping the world of work.
The Four-Day Work Week prioritises efficiency, productivity, and a seamless work-life blend, giving employees an extra day to use as they choose. This approach challenges the traditional 9-5, five-day working week, which many argue is outdated and no longer suited to modern work environments. Rather than striving for a rigid work-life balance, often difficult to achieve as work and personal demands fluctuate, this model provides employees with greater flexibility. Some weeks, work may require more focus and time, while at other times, personal life takes priority. By shifting the focus from hours worked to output delivered, businesses adopting this model are seeing significant benefits for both employees and employers.
A Movement Gaining Momentum; The four-day work week has been a hot topic in recent years, gaining a lot of traction. From trials to permanent adoptions, the momentum is undeniable. Here’s why:
According to The Guardian, 200 UK companies have permanently implemented a four-day work week, benefiting over 5,000 employees. Joe Ryle, the campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, stated: “The 9-5, five-day working week was invented 100 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose.”
Younger workers in particular have expressed their interest in the concept. Research by Spark Market Research found that 78% of 18-34-year-olds believe a four-day work week will become the norm within five years. Mental health and overall wellbeing remain their top priorities.
The business sectors leading this shift include marketing, technology, and the charity space, demonstrating that shorter working weeks are viable across various industries.
At Four Recruitment, our four-day work week runs from Monday to Thursday. But what happens on Fridays? We’ve put systems in place to ensure a seamless experience for our clients and candidates:
This approach has been a perfect fit for our company values, ensuring work-life blend and improving team wellbeing. It also reinforces our commitment to doing recruitment the right way and leading by example in the industry. While our new model offers greater flexibility, it also places accountability on our consultants to deliver results. We only employ people we wholeheartedly trust- those who are mature, responsible, and capable of managing their time effectively to ensure clients and candidates receive an exceptional service. Our values of commitment and excellence remain at the core of everything we do.
Hear direct from our team how this has worked for us…
“ I find working a 4 day week gives me a much better balance of work and home life. Because I know I have to do everything in 4 days it makes me work smarter and more efficiently, of course if I need to do something on a Friday (recruitment doesn’t just stop!) I absolutely will do, but there is a big difference between that and working a full day. It also gives me Friday’s with my little boy which you just can’t put a price on, and means I can do school drop-off and pick-up for my eldest. Having that extra time before the start of a new week means I feel more refreshed as well.”
“Moving to a 4 day week was a risk especially considering recruiters historically are judged by the number of hours they work. The reality, though, is the best recruiters are the most efficient recruiters, and fortunately, our team are all very experienced and can still achieve amazing results but in less time. This has allowed us to reward them with something money can't buy and that is time. Our results have not been impacted, but morale and people’s happiness/quality of life have improved, which make this transition so worthwhile. I only wish we had made the change earlier.”
“Working a four day week has made a huge difference to my life, I’m able to balance my work / mum life with much more ease and I now enjoy walking my children to school on a Friday morning which gives me a little opportunity to squeeze in some quality time with them without dashing off in a rush to work. I also like to get all my ‘life admin’ done ahead of the weekend which makes a huge difference to how relaxed and enjoyable my weekend is.”
"The 4-day week has improved my work-life balance. Fridays are for life admin, appointments, or the gym, and if needed, I'll handle urgent tasks. Having that extra day makes me more productive and refreshed for the week ahead."
We spoke to National Fostering Group (NFG), one of the UK’s largest independent fostering agencies and a major employer of social workers, about their experience implementing a 4-day working week. With 800 staff across 33 locations, their approach to the model provides valuable insights, particularly for larger organisations operating in sectors that require 7-day-a-week coverage.
NFG participated in the UK’s 4-day week trial in 2022 and has since adopted the model. The principle underpinning their approach is the widely recognised 100-80-100 model: 100% pay for 80% of the hours, while maintaining 100% productivity.
Overall, NFG’s experience with the 4-day week has been largely positive. By implementing clear performance metrics, maintaining open communication, and ensuring business continuity, they have successfully made the transition in a sector where round-the-clock coverage is essential. The improved staff retention rates and sustained service levels highlight the potential for other large organisations to adopt a similar model with the right structures in place.
The growing adoption of the four-day work week reflects broader workplace trends:
These trends highlight how businesses can benefit from aligning with evolving employee expectations and creating healthier, more balanced work environments.
"At Four, we are committed to delivering results and always putting our clients first. The success of our Four-Day Week comes down to the people we hire- we only bring in those we implicitly trust to take ownership of their work, manage their time effectively, and uphold the high standards we are known for."- Claire Sofield, Managing Director, Four Recruitment
Our Four-Day Week works because we are a close-knit business built on trust, accountability, and high performance. As a smaller company, we have strong relationships with our team, ensuring engagement and a shared commitment to delivering results. We understand that for larger businesses, where direct contact with employees is less frequent, adopting this approach may present more challenges.
However, as seen with NFG, a larger business operating across multiple locations, the four-day week can still be a success with the right structure in place. Their model is underpinned by clear performance metrics, a structured approach to efficiency, and a commitment to maintaining business continuity. By allowing teams to self-manage their schedules while ensuring essential coverage, they have seen significant benefits- including reduced staff turnover, improved employee satisfaction, and maintained service levels.
Their experience proves that with trust, strategic planning, and adaptability, businesses of any size can make a four-day week work. It’s a model that requires commitment, but when executed well, the rewards speak for themselves. It will be interesting to see how the concept continues to evolve in 2025 and beyond, and whether businesses of all sizes can successfully embrace this shift.
Want to learn more about our experience? Get in touch with us today.
enquiries@4recruiting.co.uk
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