Amber Minogue

But with employee happiness more important than ever and people feeling overwhelmed and stressed at work, the question of how to achieve a work-life balance has never been more important.

One approach is the Four Day Week.

Starting in June, 70 companies around the UK are testing it out as part of a nationwide trial.

The pilot is running for six months and is being organised by Four Day Week Global in partnership with Think Tank Autonomy, the Four Day Week campaign, and researchers at Cambridge University, Oxford University and Boston College.

Interestingly, working longer hours does not necessarily mean working more productively.

In fact, quite the opposite is often true, and long hours can lead to reduced productivity.

Statistics back this up.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics in 2019,

The UK's output for each hour worked was lower than that of the US and France, while other G7 countries' output per worker was 13% above the UK's.

Also, working long hours can lead to depression and even burnout for employees.

Studies suggest that more time off results in a happier, more rested workforce, which results in productivity increasing.

So how's it going so far?

Interviewed recently for The Guardian newspaper,

people have been quite positive.

While some said they relished having more time and felt more motivated on Monday mornings, others felt the pressure to make their extra day off count, and some even questioned if it was best for them.

But for Mark Herbert, he says, I don't get that Sunday night fear anymore.

Good for you, Mark.

A four-day week is not for everyone, though, and certainly would not suit all professions.

Working hours are also not the only consideration to take into account when thinking of employee happiness.

Flexibility, work culture, opportunity and more all count to our wellbeing.