'Benefits evident' | 4 day week improves staff health but clashes with business needs, new trial finds

A new study suggests that a four-day working week could improve employee wellbeing and even extend life expectancy. 

However, the company involved in the trial has opted not to adopt the policy full-time, citing business difficulties.

The UK’s first medical trial of a four-day week, conducted by the University of Sussex, assessed the physical and mental health impacts on employees at Thrive, a learning management system (LMS) company with 115 staff. 

The trial ran from July to October 2024 and included rigorous tests such as MRI scans, blood tests, sleep tracking, and weekly surveys.