Labour's four-day work week plans welcomed in Cumbria

It has been reported that the Labour Government could be planning to strengthen full-time workers' rights to request a four-day working week.

Under the new package of rights, employees could ask their employers to compress their contractual hours down into a shorter working week whilst still receiving their full pay.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has found that the four-day working week works well for some businesses, with those that have moved towards it finding the changes to be all-round beneficial.

However, industries such as hospitality, health care, and transport may face significant challenges in adopting this working pattern.

Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, says that chambers have been working with the Labour Party to ensure that "the right safeguards are in place to to protect the needs and interests of employers, while recognising the genuine benefits to business there can be in a more flexible approach."

She added: "A number of businesses have proactively chosen to move to four day working patterns and for many this has been beneficial, leading to enhanced employee wellbeing and improved recruitment prospects – as well as benefits in terms of operating costs where this has involved a three day a week shut down.

Suzanne Caldwell of the Chamber of Commerce (Image: Cumbria Chamber of Commerce)

"Most employers are keen to explore ways of making roles more attractive to staff and supporting staff wellbeing, but this needs to be balanced against the genuine needs of the business.

"However, the model doesn’t suit all industries or all businesses within an industry, in particular those requiring continuous operations such as hospitality, health care and transport, and many businesses have a need for staff to be available when it suits their customers, not when it suits those employees.

"For many the option of a four day week could lead to staff shortages and/or significant operating challenges.

"This is a particular issue given the very tight labour market and current and future recruitment challenges facing the county."

Since April, workers have been able to request flexible working as soon as they start a job - although businesses do not have to agree to this. 

Under the new plans, they would be legally obligated to offer flexibility except in cases where it would not be reasonably feasible.

We asked News & Star readers what they thought of compressing the four day working week.

Some were in support, such as one reader who said: "Yes. Study after study shows it increases productivity and helps staff engagement and retention."

Others pointed out that for some jobs, it might not be as straightforward.

"Considering I work in a school, that would only be possible if the schools were four day weeks too," said another reader.