Four-day workweek firms see surge in job applications

In companies that practice a four-day working arrangement, job applications are on the rise.

Among those participating in the UK trial for a four-day work week is environmental consultancy Tyler Grange, who reported “huge differences” in recruitment and retention of employees since implanting a shorter work week.

Helen Brittain, HR Director for Tyler Grange, explained, “Visits to our recruitment page have gone up by 60% and enquiries to the company have gone up by 534%. The interest that people are showing in the company is amazing.”

Meanwhile, marketing agency Loud Mouth Media experienced an improved staff retention rate and doubled the number of job applicants.

“During Covid our guys were just getting tapped up, left, right and centre,” said Mark Haslam, Managing Director for Loud Mouth Media. But now, “our retention of staff went up from 80% to 98%,” he added.  

READ: Can four-day workweek provide health benefits to employees?

However, the increase in interested applicants does not imply that finding the right candidate has become easier, as Haslam elaborated, “If somebody comes to me and says I want to work for you because you do a four-day week, we don’t entertain them remotely. Because it’s not a genuine driver for somebody and that just means somebody wants to work less, you know, it makes you question their ethics.”

An experience similar to this was had at Tyler Grange. According to Simon Ursell, Managing Director of Tyler Grange, it is uncommon for applicants to apply specifically for the positions that the company is seeking. Even with the four-day work week, it remains difficult to fill some roles and find suitable candidates as the job market remains tough, he added, reported CNBC.