UK Recruitment Glossary
Four-Day Week
In recruiter context
The UK 4 Day Week pilot in 2022-2023 saw 92% of participating companies continue the model after the trial. Most genuine 4-day-week roles are 32 hours for full-time pay (the '100-80-100 model' — 100% pay, 80% time, 100% output). Compressed hours (40 hours over 4 days) is different and usually less attractive. As of 2026, around 5% of UK roles offer a genuine 4-day-week, concentrated in tech, marketing, and consultancy. Negotiating one in an existing 5-day role is hard but possible — the strongest case is built on demonstrated output rather than asking for 'better work-life balance'.
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