meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Today in Focus

The dawn of the four-day week

Today in Focus

The Guardian

News, Daily News

4.65.9K Ratings

🗓️ 6 March 2023

⏱️ 33 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

A growing movement to shorten the working week is gaining supporters, including bosses as well as employees. Heather Stewart reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This is the Guardian.

0:10.8

Today is a revolutionary change in the way we work, on the horizon.

0:24.8

For my Scottish weekend away, I booked a lock-side cottage with my friends

0:28.5

and of course my miniature schnauzer.

0:31.1

Together we explored the beautiful Highlands and took in the epic views of Lock-Low Monde.

0:37.7

And there's nothing better than coming back to cook together in front of a crackling fire.

0:43.4

The Guardian Lops has partnered with cottages.com to celebrate the joy of finding your perfect pet friendly escape.

0:51.2

This message was paid for by cottages.com.

0:58.6

So it's Monday, the start of the week.

1:06.9

For most of us there are five long days of work ahead.

1:10.8

But what if Monday was actually like Sunday, the last day of your weekend, another day of rest,

1:18.6

of doing whatever you want?

1:21.0

Or rather, if Monday was Monday, but Friday was always a day off.

1:27.3

Every week, and every week, you only worked four days.

1:33.1

And here's the key bit, your salary wouldn't change.

1:37.4

You'd work fewer days and get paid the same wage, each week, every month.

1:44.4

I know, it sounds like I'm trying to sell you on some kind of scam here, but there's no catch.

1:50.9

It's the four day week.

1:53.2

And though it sounds like a fantasy, around the world, it's starting to catch on.

2:02.8

Over the past year, more than 60 British businesses from fish and ship shops to factories,

2:08.6

to consultancies and construction have taken part in a trial.

2:13.0

Were all their staff work fewer hours for exactly the same wage?

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Guardian, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The Guardian and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.