The trial, which ran for six months from June last year, required firms to reduce their working hours for all employees by 20 per cent without any reduction in wages.
The study revealed a significant decrease in rates of stress and illness among the approximately 2,900 staff who participated in the shorter working week.
The number of sick days taken during the trial dropped by around two thirds, and 39 per cent of employees reported being less stressed compared to the start of the trial. There was a decrease in anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and burnout, while balancing care responsibilities became easier for more staff.
The report also noted a 57 per cent decrease in the number of staff leaving participating companies compared to the same period the previous year, despite the “great resignation” period.
Source: The National News
