Success in Practice: The 4 day week in Scotland's Public Sector

A recent pilot in Scotland shows that the 4 day week can also work in the public sector. For one year, two organizations tested a 32-hour work model with full pay. The results send a signal for the future of work: productivity was not just maintained; it increased. At the same time, employee well-being improved significantly.

The Pilot Project: A Model for the Future

The Scottish public bodies Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) took the leap. They reduced the working hours for their 259 employees to 32 hours per week. To maintain service for citizens five days a week, the teams staggered their days off. This approach ensured the organizations remained accessible at all times. Part-time employees also benefited from a proportional (pro-rata) reduction in their hours.

Increased Productivity Through Smarter Processes

Fears of a performance drop proved to be unfounded. On the contrary, AiB kept its processing times for key services stable, despite a slight decrease in staff numbers. This points to a significant productivity gain. SOSE even handled 11.4% more client enquiries without breaching its response time targets. How was this possible? Employees reorganized their work. They made meetings more efficient, planned tasks better, and used focus periods for concentrated work. This shift towards "working smarter" was the key to success.

A Win for Health and Quality of Life

The positive effects on employees are remarkable. At AiB, self-assessed mental health improved by 18.4%, while work stress and burnout symptoms decreased. At SOSE, satisfaction with work-life balance jumped from 4% to an impressive 84%. Furthermore, the number of sick days taken for psychological reasons dropped by over 25%. Employees with care responsibilities, in particular, described the change as "life-changing." The extra day off gave them valuable time for family, rest, and personal matters.

Conclusion

The Scottish experiment proves that the 4 day week is a viable and beneficial model for the public sector. It not only promotes the health and satisfaction of employees but can also boost productivity. Careful planning and a willingness to rethink work processes are crucial for successful implementation and we support you with it!