Normally
Shoreditch
Staff at design company Normally have worked a four-day week since it was founded in 2014.
Normally profiled on BBC.
Design company Normally has had a four-day working week since it launched in 2014. Staff can choose which day to take off, though most opt for Friday.
The company says: “Everyone uses their fifth day differently. Many parents use it to care for their children. We also ride mountain bikes, read, visit museums, volunteer, hike, bake bread, teach, travel, learn instruments, brew cider and do laundry. There are no rules about our fifth day – just don’t work on it!”
They add that they have needed to be vigilant to avoid working less days leading to working longer hours: “If anyone does have to work late, it is not regarded as a sign of commitment but as a sign that we need to understand the cause and work on how to work more efficiently.”
Tags Shorter working week
Find out more
Further reading
- Why we’re in favour of a shorter working week. Normally, 2018
- ‘Superheroes don’t work 90-hour weeks’. BBC, 17/1/18
Contact details
New rules needed
Policies that can help unleash the potential of this or similar initiatives across the UK.
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Boost the power of trade unions
Stronger unions will counter the UK's low pay, low productivity economy. -
Replace GDP with better measures of national success
Better headline indicators – that reflect the things we really want – are essential for better policymaking. -
Prototype shorter working hours in the public sector
Run shorter working week trials in the public sector as experiments to improve wellbeing and productivity. -
Increase statutory paid leave
If pay is protected, increased leisure time for workers will boost demand and life satisfaction.
