Business Cloud recently covered the world’s biggest trial of the four-day work week which explored how mental health is a contributing driver for this workplace model. Mark Boost, CEO of Civo, provided his thoughts on how this change helps to support employees' mental health.
“Since the trial, the majority of the team has wholeheartedly embraced the change… People are incredibly grateful for the extra time off because it helps to alleviate the pressure from both inside and out of work.”
In June, 70 companies in the UK signed up for the world’s largest four-day work week trial which impacted over 3,300 people. Whilst over 50% of employees at Civo are based abroad, this shift to a four-day work week has allowed employees to reduce their hours to 34 hours a week.
“There’s nothing glamorous about working extensive hours when it’s damaging your life outside of work and making someone miserable. By building a culture that protects against this, staff are going to be happier and will likely stay at the company longer.”
With companies trying to attract and retain staff, a focus has been placed on the mental health benefits by flexible working policies. Business Cloud described how the five-day work week was leading us to work more, and these longer hours were leading to burnouts. Mark Boost, describes how the shift to a four-day work week has positively impacted the staff at Civo by boosting their health and wellbeing.
“Having the extra time to spend with kids or tackle household tasks is so valuable in the busy world we occupy, and the extra time off is reciprocated no end by staff that are well-rested and happier in their place of work.”
Find out more about what Civo’s CEO, Mark Boost, had to say here.