Job ads for '4 day week' roles up 90% as businesses try new ways to fill vacancies

Published by

TBM Team

There are currently more job vacancies in the UK than there are unemployed people. As such, businesses and recruiters are having to think outside the box a little when it comes to making their workplaces and roles attractive.

The latest value add that companies are offering to potential employees is the promise of the much-talked-about 'four day week'. Where employees are paid their full 100% salary, in return for undertaking 80% of their usual hours.

This week in Britain, a trial involving 70 large companies is underway testing the practicality of the four day week, with the results due to be collected and analysed. Similar schemes abroad seem to suggest that productivity rises along with employee happiness and health...

It's something that some firms are already offering. In fact, recent research carried out by online job board CV-Library suggests that job postings advertising four day weeks are up some 89.6%.

Here are the sectors most embracing the concept (and the % rise in job ads offering four day weeks):

+492% Charities
+373% Distribution
+286% Catering
+247% Sales
+214% Administration

Lee Biggins, the founder and CEO of CV-Library says this about the move by employers: “We are seeing a huge increase in the number of four day week jobs being posted. A year ago, these types of jobs were negligible. A lot has changed in both the economy and the job market over the last 12 months and employers are having to seek new ways of attracting staff, over and above competitive pay and a pension.”

“Time will tell if this draws in job seekers, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on application numbers. It’s also crucial to see the results of the trials in place and if a four-day working week is viable and sustainable for businesses and not just a short-term solution to attract and retain top talent.”

TBM Team