“You couldn’t pay me enough to go back to five days!”
Moving to a four-day working week has transformed the life of Web App Developer at search engine marketing agency, Marketing Signals, and young dad Jack Darracott.
After the business transitioned to a four-day-week last month, Darracott has explained that he’s much happier now and is more productive while he’s at work. He works smarter, not harder, and the extra day off allows him to spend more time with his newborn son.
Jack Darracott said: “Since moving to the four-day working week, I’ve been able to spend more quality time with my son, and experience all of the first milestones that I would have missed out on had I been working a full week.”
The catalyst was the rise in cost of living in the UK
The catalyst for the move to a four-day week came from the rise in cost of living, which led to Jack asking for a change in working hours due to rising childcare costs.
Jack explains: “The new model has also helped save money as I now don’t have to spend more of my wages on additional childcare fees. This is especially important with the rise in the cost of living. The extra day off also offers breathing room for any curve balls that life may throw at me.”
The four-day trial was met with some scepticism as many people questioned whether it would actually work. However, Jack says it has improved his productivity and efficiency, and that he even feels more energised when he’s back in.
Darracott adds: “Not only has it helped with my home life, but my work has also improved. My day off serves as a ‘reset day’, so when I’m back in I can look at work with a fresh pair of eyes and I feel more refreshed.”
“I actually feel more present in the hours that I do work and the working week feels less of a grind. Since it started I feel well-rested, less stressed and overall a much happier person. You couldn’t pay me enough to go back to five days.”
Remote working has become the new way of work since the COVID-19 pandemic. More people are looking to improve their work/life balance and are looking at how their work can fit around their lifestyle, rather than the other way around.
Employees would change jobs for a fully remote role
It was no surprise that a recent survey, conducted by the digital marketing agency, highlighted that over a quarter (78%) of UK employees* would move jobs if they were offered the chance to work fully remote on a permanent basis.
Managing Director at Marketing Signals, Gareth Hoyle, said: “This research has revealed that many individuals not only want to work remotely but see it as an important ‘must’ when applying for jobs.”
He adds: “My motto has always been ‘don’t live to work and don’t work to live’, and if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that it’s important we look after ourselves first. It’s important that my staff feel valued and understand life outside of work is just as important.”
The research also found that three in 10 (35%) said remote working helped with their mental health by giving them more time with family. Not only will it help improve the wellbeing of staff, the four day week will be seen as an extra hook for the recruitment of the business’ future superstars.
Hoyle concludes: “This new model of work, which focuses on quality not quantity, will revolutionise the future of work and I’m excited to be a part of it. A good work/life balance is the key to a happy and healthy workforce which leads to loyalty, ultimately helping our business grow.”
You may also like to read how the four day working week pilot started
