Following the news that more than 3,300 workers across 70 companies in the UK are trialling a four-day working week for six months;

Beatriz Benito, Lead Insurance Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view:

“The four-day working week for full-time pay is not a new concept, with trials being carried out around the world in recent years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the changes that were already underway.

“The pandemic has improved awareness about health and wellbeing and changed the way businesses fundamentally operate. GlobalData’s 2021 UK Insurance Consumer Survey found that 29.7% of consumers see an adequate work-life balance as the most important employee benefit. Employers also believe that work-life balance benefits are the most important benefit to provide to employees, as was the case with 28.9% of businesses participating in GlobalData’s 2021 UK SME Insurance Survey.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on employee wellbeing, flexibility, and shifting values as individuals spent more time at home during lockdowns. Now more than ever, businesses are recognizing the need for improving wellbeing support to employees.

“The extent of employee benefits intended to improve an employee’s mental and physical wellbeing goes beyond the provision of a healthy work-life balance. Since the start of the pandemic, insurers have revamped their products, enhancing their wellness solutions to resonate more with customers.”