Lincoln firm moving to four-day week 'to attract the best staff'
Mr Robinson, 39, said employees at the financial advice firm would work Monday to Thursday, from 09:00 to 17:00, without a reduction in pay."In the really competitive market that we're in, it's very hard to recruit and we want to make sure that we're standing out from the crowd," he added. "And a happy workforce is a great workforce."The move followed a review of a four-and-a-half-day week, which Almond Financial had been operating for three years.Mr Robinson said the business had implemented new processes and spent time managing clients' expectations about working patterns.
The 4 Day Week Foundation has long campaigned for change, having claimed that a five-day week is outdated and no longer fit for purpose.Joe Ryle, from the foundation, described the change as a "win win" for employees and employers, with staff enjoying more leisure time and companies benefiting from greater productivity and fewer sickness absences. Last week, more than a dozen MPs called for ministers to consider the idea as part of a new set of rules on workers' rights, though a government spokesperson said there were no plans to do so."A four-day, 32-hour working week is the future of work," the Labour MP Peter Dowd said.Not every business owner is convinced it would work for them. Nicola Lockwood, who owns Bells' Tea Shop, said the idea was good in theory, but she would have to take on more staff to cover opening hours, which would have a "massive" impact on her wage bill. "We'd all like to work less for the same amount of money," she said. "But ultimately, prices would have to go up."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
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Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Wales Online
4-day working week brought in at Welsh company employing hundreds of staff
4-day working week brought in at Welsh company employing hundreds of staff It's one of 17 companies which took part in a national trial to test a four-day working week with no increase in hours or reduction in pay Bron Afon in Cwmbran has successfully completed a four-day working week trial (Image: Google Maps ) A Welsh company has confirmed its plans to continue with a four-day working week, following the success of a national trial. Housing association, Bron Afon, was one of 17 companies to take part in a six-month pilot, which concluded with all participants opting to extend the shorter working week. The trial, which began in November, 2024, was organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation and involved nearly 1,000 workers across a range of industries. The aim was to test whether reducing the traditional working week from five days to four would impact productivity and employee wellbeing. Bron Afon, which boasts a workforce of around 400, claimed the results had been overwhelmingly positive. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The Cwmbran-based organisation shared that it had been able to maintain its performance and customer satisfaction, while also seeing significant benefits for its employees. Alan Brunt, chief executive of Bron Afon Community Housing, said: "Almost as soon as we started talking about it, our teams got together to set about making it work which was brilliant. Article continues below "We've closely monitored our performance and customer satisfaction. We're happy with the results so far and will continue to make sure we're delivering for our customers." Nearly two-thirds of workers across all companies involved in the trial reported a reduction in burnout, with 40% saying they had seen improvements in their mental health, while almost half said they felt more satisfied with life overall. Following the 100% success rate, director of 4 Day Week Foundation, Joe Ryle, commented: "With greater knowledge, expertise and experience of what it takes to successfully implement a four-day week, we're really pleased to see such a high success rate. "People are happier, businesses are thriving, and there's no turning back. "We've proved it again and again: a four-day week works and should now be implemented more widely across the economy." Having seen the benefits first hand, Bron Afon is now committed to continuing with the four-day week, with Mr Brunt adding: "I expect that most organisations will be doing this in the next 10 years or so." The campaign's success closely aligns with the results found by a group appointed by the Welsh Government last year. The group, established under the Workforce Partnership Council (WPC), spent a year studying the pros and cons of a four-day working week. The project revealed five major benefits, including: Improved work-life balance: Shorter work hours with no pay-cut help workers better balance work and personal life. Better health: Reduced hours help prevent burnout, lower stress and improve physical and mental wellbeing. Attraction and retention: Boosts recruitment and retention by offering distinctive benefit and effective pay increase (for fewer hours worked). Greater inclusivity: Supports workers with caring responsibilities, fostering a more inclusive workspace. Increased productivity and organisational performance: Due to increased feelings of wellbeing, those who are feeling well rested and happier tend to produce work more efficiently and of higher quality. Article continues below
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tommy Robinson told journalist 'I'm coming to get you' in phone call, court told
Far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson entered not guilty pleas as he appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday - he is alleged to have caused reporters 'fear of violence' in calls and social media messages Far-right activist Tommy Robinson told a journalist "I'm coming to get you" and shared photos of his home on social media, a court heard today. Robinson allegedly caused the reporters to "fear violence would be used against them" and published images of the wife and daughter of one of them on social media. Robinson, 42, real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of targeting the journalists through his X account, formerly Twitter, between August 5 and 7 2024. He appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. Wearing a blue waistcoat and carrying a man bag, Robinson entered not guilty pleas after the details of the charges were read out. He is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence to MailOnline reporters Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. Robinson is accused of telling Mr Young in a phone call that he would visit his house, adding "I'm coming to get you". He is also alleged to have posted on his X account on August 6 last year at 10.45pm, three edited photographs depicting Mr Young's wife and daughter, with the message: "Hey JDirnhuber get your colleague Andrew Young to call me back, you see he published pictures of my family and gave away their location. "I'm working on a news piece myself about all of you, I won't identify any innocent people or give address as that's not morally right unlike you scum. You will all be questioned on camera about how you think endangering children is ok. My homework continues." Robinson is further charged with harassment causing fear of violence by allegedly posting from his X account a direct message to Mr Dirnhuber on August 5 last year at 8.50am in which he said "I'll be knocking at your door". On the same day, he is also alleged to have posted direct messages to Mr Dirnhuber saying "Let your bosses know I'm coming to all your houses", "Okay got your address" and "We need to talk". On August 6 at 9.43pm, Robinson is alleged to have posted on X: "Got ya Jdirnhuber this is Jacob, he likes to locate and endanger families. Jacob and the rest of the Daily Mail journalists who were involved in endangering my children have today been located. I look forward to hearing on camera your justification for doxxing my children's location. I got all three of you tagged and bagged in one day." He is also alleged to have posted on August 6 last year at 10.50pm a direct message on X to Mr Dirnhuber in which he said: "I'll bring my questions to all of your doors." Prosecutors told a previous hearing that none of the alleged harassment contained direct threats of violence. After the last hearing, Robinson said he had "never had" the opportunity to have a jury trial and wanted "12 members of the British public" to hear the evidence in the case. Robinson spoke to confirm his name at the brief hearing and waved at his supporters in the public gallery. His Honour Judge Tony Baumgartner set a trial date of October 19 2026 with a five-day jury trial estimate at Southwark Crown Court. A pre-trial review was also set for October 5 2026.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
New four-day working week trial has perfect success rate
All of the companies that took part have decided to continue working a shorter working week at the end of the trial. One chief executive praised the pilot and said they "expect that most organisations will be doing this in the next 10 years". New four-day working week trial has perfect success rate The six-month trial began last November and was organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation. According to a report on the trial, organisations involved were able to maintain service levels and key performance indicators whilst observing several benefits for employee wellbeing. It added that almost two-thirds of workers registered a reduction in how often they experienced burnout. Meanwhile, two in five found an improvement in their mental health and almost half said they felt more satisfied with life. Joe Ryle, campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said: 'With greater knowledge, expertise and experience of what it takes to successfully implement a four-day week, we're really pleased to see such a high success rate. 'People are happier, businesses are thriving, and there's no turning back. 🚨NEW PILOT LAUNCH🚨 This Autumn, join the movement that's redefining the future of work. Start date: Thursday 25th September 🗓️ Our annual UK Four-Day Week Pilot has successfully supported hundreds of companies to move to a four-day week. Find out more via the link below ⬇️ — 4 Day Week Foundation (@4Day_Week) June 2, 2025 'We've proved it again and again: a four-day week works and should now be implemented more widely across the economy.' Bron Afon Community Housing has 420 staff and is extending its pilot further. Chief executive Alan Brunt said: 'Almost as soon as we started talking about it, our teams got together to set about making it work, which was brilliant. 'We've closely monitored our performance and customer satisfaction. We're happy with the results so far and will continue to make sure we're delivering for our customers. 'I expect that most organisations will be doing this in the next 10 years or so.' Will the UK have a four-day work week? Ongoing discussions and trials surrounding the four-day work week in the UK are continuing; however, the Government has previously ruled out immediate plans for a nationwide, mandated four-day work week. The Department for Business and Trade said last year: "We have no plans to impose a four-day working week on employers or employees." Despite this, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has voiced support for a four-day working week. The 4 Day Week Foundation is a group that leads the UK's national campaign for a four-day working week. They are pushing for a four-day, 32-hour working week, meaning no loss of pay for workers. Would you like to see a four-day working week? Let us know in the comments.
