Sam Hunt, Business Network Coordinator at the 4 Day Week Foundation (pictured), will be asking The Watercooler delegates, in his session, the question ‘why work a 5-day week when you can work a 4-day week?’
He’ll be sharing insights gleaned into the 4 Day week from the Foundation’s trials, as well as giving a unique insight into the younger generations’ shifting views on the role of work in their lives, and what they want from an employer.
This is a not-to-be missed session given Labour’s promise to make flexible working a guaranteed right from day one now, but employers need to ensure that less hours won’t mean less productivity.
You can hear Sam speak at the new ‘Office’ stream at The Watercooler Event, on 7th and 8th May 2025 at ExCeL in London, which is Europe’s leading trade show, with free-to-attend content, dedicated to creating workplaces that empower both people and business to thrive.
Now in its fourth year, it’s two days of cutting-edge employee health, wellbeing, workplace culture, networking and product discovery – celebrating the future of work. Co-located with The Office Event for the full 360 degree workplace experience.
You can find out more and register to attend here.
We caught up with Sam ahead of his appearance at The Watercooler Event to find out more…
Can you tell me a little about your background and why you feel so strongly about campaigning for the 4 Day Week?
I studied Economics and Politics and then worked in finance and consultancy, and I’ve also worked in the creative sector. I think that my unusual career background enables me to think differently, particularly in terms of new working practices.
I understand why change meets resistance from certain sections of society who’ve done things a particular way their whole lives, and haven’t had to conceive of things differently. But I believe it just requires a small change in perspective to see that the status quo isn’t necessarily in our best interests.
A lot has changed in the workplace over the last 20 to 30 years and many of the ways we do things are outdated and not working anymore. It was about 100 years ago now, after all, when the 5 day working week was first formalised.
After my different experiences, I found I wanted to use my skills to make a lasting positive impact on the way things are done. To provide a measured voice that aims to alleviate some of the friction and frustration I see around me.
Do you believe society is starting to shift its perspectives on current working practices and opening up to a better way?
I think people are starting to think about optimising things like social cohesion and work life balance, which have a tangible effect on their everyday lives. The media and politicians only seem comfortable talking about economics and growth, but really economic growth should never be an objective in itself. It can only ever be beneficial insofar as it serves the organic needs of society.
Younger generations in particular are realising the system no longer works for us. The fact that it’s almost impossible to own a house, whilst we also lack the time and space to have families, is a real wake-up call and people are starting to think about why that is.
Paint me a picture of a better way… What could be possible?
Well, any vision has to be an outgrowth of what already exists, which means it would have to be a gradual, organic process.
So far we’ve taken the view that five days is automatically better than four because it’s a higher number.
But what we’re saying is that quality is more important than quantity, and a four day week leads to higher quality work.
You’ve led pilots of the 4 Day Week, supporting companies with any challenges as they transition. What do you see as the biggest benefits of switching to a 4 Day Week?
We started a trial at the end of last year involving around 20 companies and last week we had a catch up call. When you hear these companies talk about what’s happened during the process of implementing it, it can be quite incredible.
A major benefit is the efficiencies that are created. At the start, people are often concerned because they are thinking ‘how can I possibly do what I do in a shorter amount of time?’. But, what all these organisations said is that through the process of reducing your hours you start to think about what you do very differently. This evaluation actually serves to streamline the work.
Also, because people are better rested, they don’t feel like they’re on this relentless hamster wheel of working, so they approach their work in a different way, they think more about why it’s important and, ultimately, they value it more. In the long-term, we see that the 4 Day Week increases employee retention, reduces absenteeism and significantly increases the number of applicants applying for job vacancies.
Do you have any stats you can share from the pilots about the effect on employee wellbeing and productivity?
Yes. We have stats from the 2022 trial, which is the world’s biggest ever four-day week trial and took place in the UK involving 61 companies and 2,900 employees. It was an astounding success; 92% of companies who took part in the pilot scheme decided to continue with a four-day week at the end of their trial.
Other stats I can tell you about are:
- 71% of employees reported lower levels of burnout
- The trial saw a 65% reduction in absenteeism
- 55% of employees reporting an increase in their ability at work
- 63% of businesses found it easier to attract and retain talent with a four-day week
- 60% of employees found an increased ability to combine paid work with care responsibilities
- During the trial resignations dropped by 57%
- Early adopters such as Atom Bank have seen a 500% surge in job applications
No data has been released yet on the 2024 trial as it is still being conducted.
Can you tell me more about this shift you see in the way people approach their work?
Yes, the rejuvenation aspect is really important. The 4 Day Week not only makes people more efficient but it also gives them an injection of vitality. It’s a much needed pressure-release valve from the suffocation of vitality that has been prevalent in our working environments.
And presumably this vitality can guard against burnout?
Yes, because it’s also linked to finding meaning and value in your job, or being motivated by and proud of this exciting change.
What about creativity – do you have any evidence that the 4 Day Week helps with innovation?
We have a lot of first-hand testimony that it does. Every single company on our current pilot has said it’s improved innovation. They say people feel refreshed when they come into work and approach tasks in a new way.
What would you say to those employers worried about making such a big change during this climate of economic uncertainty and a cost of living crisis?
I would say that switching to the 4 Day Week is something employers can offer their staff as a very viable alternative to a salary increase. And it’s a profound benefit to offer because giving your employees more time for themselves drastically changes their life. This also creates loyalty.
What do you think of the rise of AI? Does that have any bearing on the success, or not, of the 4 Day Week?
It’s another reason why I think the 4 Day Week will be really important going forward. We spend so much of our lives now connected to this huge global infrastructure of information, which is exhausting and draining.
But ignoring technology at work is not an option because it’s valuable in certain respects, and it’s here to stay. It will play an ever increasing role in our lives.
However, it’s going to mean that taking time away from tech and screens will become even more important to our wellbeing, and the extra time the 4 Day Week gives us means we have more time to exist in the real, physical world. We can get outside instead of being constantly locked into the digital architecture.
After all, our reality is not a digital one; it’s our physical lives, real relationships with people we love, the places we live in and beauty in nature that are far more important ultimately.
Not looking at screens so much, and not outsourcing every part of our lives to artificial intelligence, is going to be incredibly important for our health moving forwards and it concerns me to think that the things that are actually important in life could be forgotten. It’s essential as humans that we engage with our actual reality – not just our virtual one. If we don’t, I believe people are going to become increasingly lonely, anxious and depressed.
If there’s one message you could get across to people at the Watercooler Event, what would it be?
That living better is possible. All that is required is for people to think about work in a different way and to re-interpret the abstract concept of what work is, and what’s important to them.
There’s a lot of negativity and apathy around at the moment generally, and I think we – at the 4 Day Week Foundation – are providing one of the few positive visions of what the future could look like, and how things could be done differently.
And what are you most looking forward to about being at The Watercooler Event?
You can guess I’m going to say this…Being in the real, physical environment and meeting people face to face, of course!
To hear Sam and other thought leaders speak at The Watercooler Event, on 7th and 8th May 2025 at ExCeL in London, you can find out more and register to attend here.
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