Work-life balance | 4-day week set to take over by 2030 as UK workers predict its rise

With almost half (48%) of UK companies now offering a four-day working week, new research reveals that UK workplaces are on the brink of a major shakeup in working patterns.

According to from hybrid meeting technology leader Owl Labs, employees aren’t just embracing shorter weeks; they expect the four-day model to become standard in the next five years.

The appetite for change doesn’t end there. Across the UK, workers are also calling for fairer hybrid policies and smarter technology to support productivity, wherever work happens. Taken together, the results paint a picture of a workforce pushing for progress and rethinking traditional policies, which match recent successful four-day week trials and reticence towards return-to-office (RTO) mandates.

Could four be the new five?

The four-day week isn’t just a passing trend. 83% of UK workers predict that it will become even more popular by 2030, and this expectation is especially strong among younger generations with 91% of Gen Z and 87% of Millennials in agreement. Many even go as far as to expect it to match or overtake the traditional five-day model.

The benefits are clear. Over three-quarters of UK employees (76%) believe a four-day week would improve their work-life balance, while 74% see more time for personal development and 72% report greater job satisfaction. Productivity isn’t left behind either, with two in three (67%) respondents saying they’d get more done in fewer days.