News
Four-day week made permanent by most UK companies taking part in world’s biggest trial
Would you prefer a four-day work week?
Most companies who took part in the biggest four-day working week trial have now made it a permanent policy, research shows.
It seems people are happier when they have enough free time to spend with loved ones as well as some much needed rest, and with batteries fully charged they feel ready to take on the new working week.
With long commutes Monday-Friday and two days a week to do your weekly shop, get the washing done, look after the kids, clean the house, visit friends and family and somehow find time to chill, the weekly grind can be tough.
A six-month UK pilot of the four-day work week took place in 2022 and saw 61 organisations take part, of which, 54 (89%) are still operating under the policy a year later and 31 (51%) have made the change permanent – according to a report.
In the trial, staff did not work longer days to make up for the missing fifth, nor did they take a pay cut, instead, they got all their work for the week complete within a 32-hour week.
More than half the project managers and CEOs of the companies said the move to a four-day work week – where staff work 100% of their output in 80% of their time – had a positive impact on their organisations.
As reported in The Guardian, improvements included 82% seeing positive effects on staff wellbeing, 50% found it reduced staff turnover and 32% said it helped with staff recruitment. Almost half (46%) said the changes helped improve working and productivity.
Author of the report, an American economist and Sociology Professor at Boston College, said the results showed ‘long lasting’ effects.
She added: “Physical and mental health, and work-life balance are significantly better than at six months. Burnout and life satisfaction improvements held steady.”
But, Matthew Percival, a director at the Confederation of British Industry said the four-day work week was not a ‘one-size fits all answer’ and it was unlikely it would pay for itself in many industries.
He said: “If businesses have the budget to add to their offer to employees, then they will be considering the relative merits of reducing working hours compared to increasing pay, pensions or paid parental leave, as well as better supporting health and wellbeing.”
However, the four-day working week report, created by the thinktank Autonomy and researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Salford and Boston College in the US, found that ‘many of the significant benefits found during the initial trial persisted 12 months on’, although they noted the sample size used in the trial was small.
One charity which took part in the trial reported employee satisfaction and that it offered a good alternative for not being able to offer high salaries.
Paul Oliver, chief operating officer at Citizens Advice Gateshead, said: “We wanted to see a way to improve staff conditions so they would be better rested and could give more to work.”
Though some challenges faced by companies included working with clients and stakeholders where the four-day working week was not in practice. In places where the policy was implemented unevenly, there was some resentment from staff.
The Scottish government launched a four-day working week trial for some public services this month, with an aye for a wider rollout if it proves successful.
A government spokesperson said: “We have no plans to introduce a four-day working week.
“Ultimately it is for employers and employees to agree what working arrangements work best for them, and we will be making changes to our flexible working legislation in April, including the right to request flexible working from day 1 of a new job.”
It seems we’re still a bit away from the dream of that sweet work-life balance, but the four-day work week could still become the norm for many of us in the near future.
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News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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