UK-based IT valued-added reseller Highgate IT Solutions has announced it will start trialing a four-day work week commencing April 1.
The trial will take place over a business quarter and will adopt the 100:80:100 model, meaning Highgate will commit to 100% pay for 80% of time, in return for 100% productivity.
The company believes it is the first to do so within the UK ICT channel.
Bob Sahota (pictured), Highgate’s sales director, said the decision to trial four-day working was influenced by the new perspective obtained over the last two years, highlighting the importance of employee wellbeing and the value of time.
“For me, Highgate is our ever-evolving vision of what a harmonious work/life balance should look like, one without stress, pressure or anxiety,” said Sahota. “One that enables people to become the best version of themselves, inside and outside of work. By moving to a four-day week, we’re giving everyone back the most valuable thing in life: time.”
Sahota further explained that the potential commercial benefits of the four-day working week include increased revenue and productivity, lower staff turnover, and attracting new talent. However, none of these was the motivating factor for conducting the trial.
“When you build a business focused purely on increasing turnover and profit by any means necessary, you can lose sight of what is really important, and for us the journey is more important than the destination,” he continued. “Employee wellbeing and their mental health is the keystone of our business and I strongly believe that a four-day week that consists of 28 hours will improve all of our lives.”
Sahota explained that services to customers will not be impacted, as the trial has been designed with them in mind too.
“Days off will be staggered across the teams, meaning Highgate remains operational five days a week,” he added. “It is very important to us that we continue to deliver the high level of service to our customers that they’re used to.”