ONCE thought a wacky idea, many UK firms are now moving to four-day weeks in an attempt to raise efficiency and attract the best talent.
Atom Bank hit the headlines last month when it moved to a permanent four-day week without reducing pay by a penny.
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Yet far from a hippie move by the fintech firm, Atom Bank joined a fast-growing group of UK companies cutting one day off their weekly routine.
A spokesperson for the Durham firm told us: “At Atom, happy and healthy colleagues = happy and healthy customers.
“It’s business as usual.”
Meanwhile Leeds finance firm BWD introduced four-day week without reducing pay after a “remarkable” three-month trial earlier this year.
And London software developers IriusRisk moved to a three-day weekend early this month, with CEO Cristina Bentue telling Forbes the firm received ten new CVs within 24 hours of the news.
With traditional work patterns disrupted by the pandemic and the so-called ‘Great Resignation’ now leading an estimated one-quarter of Brits to consider quitting their jobs, some believe a four-day work week is more logical than ever.
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Here’s a full list of the UK firms offering their workers four-day weeks, according to the 4 Day Work Week campaign.
3D Issue
This Donegal printing software firm employs 20 staff, all of whom have worked four-day weeks since early 2020.
They hope the four-day week can help attract talented workers from Dublin and Belfast.
Advice Direct Scotland
Glasgow non-profit Advice Direct offers a benefits calculator, consumer advice and Covid guidance to anyone looking for it.
You can also get in touch via video call using British Sign Language (BSL).
Atom Bank
Durham fintech firm Atom is thought to be the biggest UK employer to make the change yet, with 430 staff on its payroll.
Atom has a whopping 41 vacancies in Durham, London and remotely. You can search through them here.
Autonomy
A think tank dedicated to researching the future of work, London brain trust Autonomy walks the walk.
Autonomy isn’t hiring at the moment, but is always looking for placement candidates studying for their PhD.
Big Potato Games
This East London board game company makes party games for Disney, Rolling Stone and more.
The firm moved to a four-day week in 2019.
They just hired a new head of sales, so keep an eye out for future vacancies.
Blink
Norwich e-Commerce firm Blink is a digital marketing agency.
No job opportunities are listed at the moment.
CMG Technologies
This Suffolk 3D metal moulding firm is an early adopter, having introduced a four-day week in 2015.
Though CMG isn’t currently hiring, the firm did win Wellbeing of the Year from the East of England Federation of Small Businesses in 2020, so be on the lookout.
Causeway Irish Housing Association
This London non-profit provides temporary accommodation to mostly homeless young people in London.
Tough but rewarding work, the charity is hiring a support team leader – and applications close in three days. Details are here.
Charlton Morris
One of the bigger UK firms to shift to four-day weeks, recruiter Charlton Morris has 93 employees in its Leeds HQ.
And true to its business model, the company is ALWAYS hiring – specifying that “exceptional people” are wanted. The application form is here.
Common Knowledge
Non-profit workers cooperative in London which helps activists build websites.
Common Knowledge isn’t hiring at the moment.
Crystallised
A Newcastle marketing agency with plenty of industry gongs.
There are no vacancies at the moment – but the company just hired a new PR manager on a part-time £30k pro rata contract.
Earth Science Partnership
Cardiff scientists focused on geology and the environment, they take a three-day weekend to enjoy the Earth while they aren’t studying it.
They’ve just opened applications for a new engineering/environmental geologist, offering a generous £40k to £50k. More information is here.
Elektra Lighting
London-based lighting consultants. There are currently no vacancies at Elektra.
Evolved
Online marketing specialists based in the North East.
Evolved are hiring an account executive and a HR assistant, offering £26k and £25k respectively.
Applications just closed for additional digital PR consultant and sales consultant roles, so keep an eye out for more vacancies.
Flocc
Cambridge and London-based marketing agency.
Flocc is “always looking for passionate people with talent” – if that’s you, get in touch here.
Four Day Week Ltd
A jobs search firm specialising in matching employees with four-day week roles.
Ironically we’ve been unable to find out whether Four Day Week itself is hiring – but we’ll let you know when we hear.
Geeks for Social Change
Mancunian software developers who focus on researching and “good causes”.
There are no vacancies at the moment, but Geeks for Social Change just hired a new rails developer – so keep them on your radar.
Gracefruit
The Glasgow cosmetics firm offers its staff 32-hour weeks across four days.
A small team of seven, Gracefruit has no openings at the moment.
Legacy Events
Management agency based in Oxford which stresses sustainability.
Legacy isn’t hiring at the moment.
MRL
Recruiters specialising in tech and financial markets jobs, based in Brighton.
MRL is hiring three new recruitment consultants to its Hove office. You can find out more here.
People and Transformational HR
Design and marketing consultancy based in Wellingborough, North Northamptonshire.
The firm isn’t currently hiring to its small team.
Punch Creative
Leeds-based boutique digital marketing agency.
The good news is, Punch Creative are always hiring talented new recruits “regardless of current vacancies”.
No specific posts are listed as open right now, but you can reach out here.
Reboot
This Hertfordshire ad agency offers its staff Fridays off and a “friendly work culture”.
Four positions including digital PR junior and SEO executive are currently listed here.
Resilience Brokers
This climate finance firm based in London shifted to a four-day week in September.
Applications for the firm’s new senior programme manager – earning £45k – close TOMORROW. Details are here.
Reward Agency
Manchester ad agency specialising in sustainable brands.
There are no vacancies at Reward right now, but you can register your interest in future openings here.
Stop AIDS
London charity dedicated to making HIV and AIDS a thing of the past.
They’re looking for a new COVID-19 advocacy officer – and the deadline is next week. More info here.
Sinister Fish Games
Lincoln-based board game makers “established by mistake” in 2015.
There are no vacancies listed at the moment.
Social Enterprise Direct
Glasgow finance firm which works with businesses on “innovative and ethical” solutions to their problems.
There are no current vacancies.
Softer Success
Consultancy and training provider based in London focused on employees and recruiters.
Works to root out the “burnout pandemic”, with a podcast focused on the subject.
Its staff now work four-day weeks after a trial period, though there are no current openings to join the team.
StreamGo
Successful Sunderland-based indie events platform whose clients include Pfizer, Sony and Speedo.
They’re currently looking for a sales development representative, working from home for now. More details are here.
T-Cup Studios
Bath boutique consultancy which talks to employees and their bosses about how to improve workplace outcomes.
There are currently no openings to join the firm’s 12-strong team.
Target Publishing
Essex indie publishers established in 2000, Target is behind magazines including True Health and Private Schools.
They’re looking for a new sales executive and are always open to new writers with an interest or background in health, nutrition, food or the outdoors.
More details on both can be found here.
Technovent
A high-tech medical services supplier, this South Wales-based firm provides prosthetics and materials used in cosmetic surgery.
They recently hired a new administrative assistant via Kickstarter, but be on the lookout for future opportunities.
The Circle
A hub for charities, social enterprises and non-profits in Dundee.
There are no listed vacancies at the moment.
The UPAC Group
Glasgow packing firm which claims to be Scotland’s largest independent packaging supplier.
UPAC isn’t hiring at the moment.
Venture Stream
This Newcastle marketing agency recently adopted a four-day week – with free lunches provided on Fridays, too.
A Great Place to Work according to Certified UK, Venture Stream has no vacancies but recently hired a new junior copywriter, offering £18k a year.
YWCA Scotland
A young women’s movement based in Glasgow fighting for feminist causes 28 hours per week.
The group is looking for a new comms assistant.
Details are here.
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