LONDON: In the world's largest trial of the new working pattern, more than 3,300 workers at 70 UK enterprises, ranging from a little fish and chip shop to giant financial organisations, will begin working a four-day week on Monday with no pay cut.

The experiment will last six months and is organised by 4 Day Week Global in collaboration with the think tank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week Campaign, and researchers from Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Boston College.

The trial is based on the 100:80:100 paradigm, which entails receiving 100% pay for 80% of the time in exchange for a promise to maintain 100% productivity.

Along with the Sheffield software firm Rivelin Robotics, the London-based inheritance tax specialists Stellar Asset Management, and Charity Bank in Tonbridge, Kent, Platten's Fish and Chips in Wells-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast is taking part.

"As we emerge from the pandemic, more and more companies are recognising that the new frontier for competition is quality of life, and that reduced-hour, output-focused working is the vehicle to give them a competitive edge," said Joe O'Connor, chief executive of the not-for-profit group 4 Day Week Global. Researchers will engage with each participating organisation to assess the impact on corporate productivity and employee well-being, as well as the environment and gender equality.

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