Latest news with #JoeRyle
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- Business
- 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
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Businesses ‘thriving' after adopting four-day working week
A national pilot scheme exploring a four-day working week has concluded with a resounding 100 per cent success rate, prompting all participating companies to permanently adopt the shorter schedule. The six-month trial, which began last November, involved 17 companies and nearly 1,000 workers, and was organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation. All 17 firms have now committed to continuing the four-day week beyond the pilot phase. A report on the initiative highlighted that organisations were able to maintain their service levels and key performance indicators throughout the trial period. This demonstrated that productivity did not suffer despite the reduction in working days. Crucially, the pilot also yielded substantial benefits for employee wellbeing. Almost two-thirds of workers registered a reduction in how often they experienced burnout, while two in five found an improvement in their mental health. Furthermore, nearly half of the participants reported feeling more satisfied with their lives. 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. 'We've proved it again and again: a four-day week works and should now be implemented more widely across the economy.' Alan Brunt, chief executive of Bron Afon Community Housing with 420 staff, who are extending their pilot further, 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.'
The Herald Scotland
03-07-2025
- Business
- 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.
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Four-day working week trial sees a 100 per cent success rate
A six-month national pilot scheme for a four-day working week concluded with a 100 per cent success rate. The trial involved 17 companies and nearly 1,000 workers, all of whom have now permanently adopted the shorter work schedule. Participating organizations maintained service levels and key performance indicators, demonstrating no loss in productivity. The pilot significantly improved employee wellbeing, with nearly two-thirds reporting reduced burnout and two in five experiencing better mental health. Advocates like Joe Ryle from the 4 Day Week Foundation assert that the four-day week works and should be more widely implemented across the economy.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Four-day week pilot hailed a success
The latest national four-day working week pilot, involving 17 companies and nearly 1,000 workers, has ended with a 100% success rate, it was announced on Thursday. All 17 companies have decided to continue working a shorter working week at the end of the trial. The six-month trial began last November and was organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation. Organisations were able to maintain service levels and key performance indicators whilst observing several benefits for employee wellbeing, said the report. Almost two-thirds of workers registered a reduction in how often they experienced burnout, 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. 'We've proved it again and again: a four-day week works and should now be implemented more widely across the economy.' Alan Brunt, chief executive of Bron Afon Community Housing with 420 staff, who are extending their pilot further, 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.'
