Four day working week pilot
We committed to running a four day working week pilot in the public sector.
This was announced in the Public Sector Pay Strategy 2023 to 2024 and Programme for Government 2023 to 2024.
The pilot tested whether a four day working week could improve:
- employee wellbeing
- productivity
We worked with The Autonomy Institute as an expert partner to deliver the pilot.
How the pilot worked
Two public bodies took part:
Both organisations trialled a 32-hour working week with no loss of pay.
The pilot began on 2 October 2023 and will run until 3 November 2025.
The Autonomy Institute carried out an independent evaluation of the pilot. The evaluation also looked at insights from other public bodies exploring a 35-hour working week.
You can read the public sector four day working week pilot evaluation report on The Autonomy Institute's site.
The key findings were:
- service delivery was not affected
- both organisations maintained their key performance targets
- staff wellbeing improved
The evaluation also found examples of good practice and effective partnership working.
What happens next
We will use these findings as part of the wider Public Service Reform Programme to support more efficient and innovative working practices.
Public bodies can consider flexible working patterns that improve:
- how efficiently they operate
- employee wellbeing
- service delivery
Any changes must work within the existing 35-hour working week framework.