Atom Bank says 4-day working week is the ‘future of working life’
The UK’s Atom Bank reported that six months after implementing a four-day workweek, it has noticed advantages ranging from enhanced production to talent retention. According to a press release issued on Wednesday, there was a 49% increase in job applications at the bank in January 2022 when compared to the same month the previous year. Staff retention rates have also increased. Over time, fewer days were missed to illness, and customer satisfaction levels increased as well.
The Durham, England-based challenger bank is one of a number of UK companies exploring new working patterns to meet growing demand for flexible employment following the pandemic. While some have questioned the feasibility of a shorter working week, Atom Bank has no such qualms.
“We firmly believe the four-day week is the future of working life,” said Anne-Marie Lister, chief people officer at Atom Bank. “We hope Atom’s experiences will encourage more businesses to make the shift permanently.”
Even as the pandemic recedes and some bosses push for a return to the office, there’s increasing evidence flexible work is here to stay. Office vacancies in central London are at the highest level in more than 15 years with the equivalent of about 60 Gherkin skyscrapers of empty space.
