UK medical trial of four-day week finds staff happier and more productive

Thrive, a learning technology firm, participated in the UK’s first medical trial of the four-day work week, which revealed that shorter hours resulted in happier and more productive employees.

Conducted by Thrive in collaboration with the University of Sussex, the trial involved 115 Thrive employees from July to October 2024. The study included various research tests such as MRI scans, blood tests, and sleep tracking, along with weekly questionnaires on workplace experiences and wellbeing.

The trial also gathered feedback from Thrive’s customers, who utilize an AI-powered learning management system supplied by the company to enhance employee training. This feedback helped assess the impact of the four-day work week trial on service quality, while sales and product metrics were analyzed to measure its effects on business productivity.

The results showed significant improvements in employee wellbeing metrics, particularly in areas such as stress levels, sleep quality, and work detachment, indicating a notable enhancement in work-life balance. This included a 20% decrease in sleep problems, an 8.6% reduction in perceived stress, a 14.7% drop in emotional exhaustion, and a 5% decrease in anxiety symptoms.

Charlotte Rae, research lead at the University of Sussex, commented on the results, stating, “Improved sleep quality and reduced stress and exhaustion are factors that could have a significant impact on our health, with the potential to enhance our lives both at work and outside of work. This study provides further compelling evidence for the benefits of flexible working models.”

Despite working fewer hours, the trial found that employees maintained consistent task execution, with many reporting increased goal achievement and self-efficacy. This reflected a boost in their confidence and belief in their ability to achieve desired outcomes at work.

Cassie Gasson, co-CEO at Thrive, highlighted the advantages of being a tech-focused business during the trial, emphasizing the use of AI tools to streamline workflows and prioritize essential tasks. She noted the positive impact of AI in enabling flexibility without compromising results, which proved beneficial in the context of the four-day work week.

Gasson emphasized the importance of fostering the right culture to ensure the sustainability of working changes, acknowledging that the success of a four-day work week may not suit every business or team dynamic. She mentioned that Thrive would explore a seasonal approach to implementing the four-day work week in the future.