Camlas has implemented a four-day working week for its employees, officially starting this week.
Based in Wales, the public affairs company introduced the policy in a bid to prioritise the health and wellbeing of its workforce. It made the decision after trialling the initiative and after other trials across the UK showed the shorter week could boost productivity, morale and job satisfaction while reducing stress levels.
According to the business, the move to adopt the four-day work week is in line with its “ongoing efforts to create a positive and inclusive workplace culture that promotes work-life balance and allows our staff to thrive both professionally and personally.”
Managing partner Naomi Williams said: “We recognise that our staff are our most valuable asset and we believe that by introducing a four-day work week, we can create a healthier and more sustainable work environment for them.
“This decision will not only benefit our employees but also our clients, as our team will be more focused, refreshed, and productive.”
Camlas, which employs nine people, also offers a number of employee benefits, such as flexible working options, mental health support, and opportunities for training and development. It believes that adopting a four-day week aligns well with this aim.
Mark Hooper from 4 Day Week Cymru, who led a petition urging the Welsh Government to trial a four-day week in the public sector, added: “This is fantastic news and shows a real commitment to the wellbeing of colleagues across Camlas’ business. Leadership in sectors such as public affairs is key in order to change our collective attitude to work.”
In February this year, a pilot programme discovered that a four-day working week was viable, with organisers insisting the results show it “improves work-life balance and supports healthier habits”.
Carried out in the UK by non-profit organisation 4 Day Week Global, along with think-tank Autonomy and UK’s 4 Day Week Campaign, the initiative further found that almost all employers planned to maintain the four-day week pattern post-trial.
