WORKERS can request a four day week, but it might result in a reduced salary.
You can ask your boss for flexible working hours but it could affect your pay – we explain your rights.
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Several UK firms have already dropped one working day to give employees more time off.
Many of them have also let workers keep their full salaries despite the drop in hours.
Atom Bank hit the headlines late last year when it moved to a permanent four-day week without reducing pay.
Leeds finance firm BWD introduced four-day week without reducing pay after a “remarkable” three-month trial in 2021.
Meanwhile, London software developers IriusRisk moved to a three-day weekend last month, with CEO Cristina Bentue telling Forbes the firm received ten new CVs within 24 hours of the news
We’ve rounded up all the firms already offering a four-day working week.
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Can I request a four-day working week?
Workers have the right to ask for a four-day week, or to make a different flexible working request.
There are a few restrictions, but it applies to most employees including parents, carers and those returning from maternity leave.
You have to be legally classed as an employee and have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks.
You can only make one request in a 12-month period.
Your boss has to consider your request but they don’t have to agree to it.
But employers have become more used to the idea of flexible working due to the pandemic, so may be more likely to say yes these days.
How can I make a flexible working request?
You should put your request to your employer in writing, making it clear that you’re making a “statutory flexible working request”.
If you’re not sure who to address it to, check with your company’s human resources (HR) department.
Make sure you include the date you’re sending it, the change you’d like to make and when you’d like it to start.
Acas says you should address how you would deal with any effects the change could have on your work or the company.
If you’ve made any previous flexible working requests, including the dates in your letter.
Finally, mention if your request relates to something covered by discrimination law, for example to make a reasonable adjustment for a disability.
What will happen to my salary?
While you can ask for flexible working, you don’t have the right to stay on your full salary if it’s granted.
You might be offered a lower wage to reflect the reduction in working hours.
There’s no harm in asking, but your company has the right to cut your pay in line with your working hours.
Rhona Darbyshire, a partner at law firm at Cripps Pemberton Greenish, said: “Employees have the legal right to request flexible working, which if successful could lead to a reduction in their working hours.
“Despite this right to request such an arrangement there is no legal basis for employees to insist that such a reduction in working hours is not without an associated pay cut.
“For that, employees are reliant on their employer seeing the wider benefits of a four day working week without the equivalent reduction in pay.”
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