Some businesses in the UK are testing something that may change the everyday work week for good — a four-day work week. Cheddar News was joined by Joe O'Connor, CEO of 4-Day Week Global to learn more about the trial and when we could see this in the United States.

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Taking a Peek at the UK's Four-Day Workweek Trial

well the classic monday through friday 9 to 5 workday has become a fixture in most working americans. However, a new trial run in the UK may change the way we think about the work week, more than 3300 employees from 70 companies will work for 32 hours instead of the usual 40 and receive their regular full day compensation as part of a six month trial for the four day week UK campaign. So joining us now to tell us everything there is to know about this intriguing campaign. The ceo of a four day week. Global joe O'Connor. So joe good morning to you. Thank you for joining us this morning. First of all, what do you think are some of the advantages of a four day work week. And what exactly are you looking for in this U. K. Trial run? Well, I think the advantages to employees are well documented at this point it can lead to improved well being, reduce stress, reduce burnout and obviously a better work life balance. Being able to spend more time with family, community, learning new skills and hobbies and so on. What I think has really come clear in the last couple of years as we emerge out of the pandemic is the potential benefits that this can bring for employers. And we've seen lots of examples all over the world of companies moving to this model and actually reporting improved productivity because their employees are better arrested. They're more focused and more motivated while they're at work. But also I think the big change that we've seen is that more and more companies are turning to this as something that can potentially give them a competitive edge in a very tight labor market companies that are able to pull this off without necessarily sacrificing organizational performance or organizational priorities and put themselves at a significant advantage when it comes to retaining their best employees. So spending less time and money on recruitment on re training up skilling because they lose key people and also in attracting key talent to their businesses. So that's something that we're seeing many companies all over the world experience when they transition to reduce our working. It's so interesting because typically we see the benefits of the employees but not the benefits of the employers. So you make such a good point. But should this experiment go well how soon could we potentially see a four day work week in the U. S. Is it realistic? Well I have some good news for you for some companies and employees. It's already here in the US and before this U. K. Trial which is obviously the biggest one that's taken place anywhere in the world. We currently have 40 companies with over 3000 employees participating in the same pilot program here in North America. And then we're planning to run another pilot program later this year with companies in the US. So when we work with companies we often find that for many of them the four day work week is already here. It's just buried under the rubble of poor meeting discipline, distractions and interruptions in the workday, outmoded processes and poor use of technology. And when actually they, you know, build a partnership with their employees and get serious about addressing these inefficiencies in their businesses, they find that the four day work week is actually well within reach. Yes. So we could see it soon. That's great news, joe O'Connor, thank you so much for taking the time to join us this morning ceo of four day week. Global. Thanks again, joe.