A major Welsh employer has announced it will permanently embrace the four-day working week, following the success of a large-scale national trial. Bron Afon Community Housing, based in Cwmbran and employing roughly 400 staff, was among 17 organisations to participate in a landmark six-month pilot aiming to evaluate the impact of a reduced workweek with no associated drop in pay or increase in weekly hours.
The experiment, beginning in November 2024 and coordinated by the 4 Day Week Foundation, saw close to 1,000 employees from diverse sectors take part. Its objective was to determine whether a shorter working schedule could be achieved without sacrificing operational efficiency or customer service, while simultaneously enhancing staff wellbeing.
For Bron Afon, the outcomes have been particularly encouraging. Management reported that key performance indicators and customer satisfaction metrics remained steady, even as employees enjoyed the benefit of an extra day off each week. The organisation highlighted a supportive workplace culture as essential to the smooth transition. Teams were quick to collaborate to ensure the success of the trial, according to Bron Afon’s chief executive, Alan Brunt.
Mr Brunt also stressed that the company would continue to closely monitor outcomes, adding, “From the outset, our staff rallied to make the four-day week a reality, which has been fantastic to see. We are committed to maintaining high service standards and will keep evaluating our approach to ensure we deliver the best for our community.” This ongoing assessment is designed to ensure that the move continues to benefit both employees and customers as the new working pattern becomes permanent.
Results from the trial extended far beyond just operational considerations. Data collated across all participating companies revealed that almost two-thirds of staff experienced less burnout. Additionally, forty per cent reported improvements in their mental health, and nearly half reported greater overall satisfaction with life. This feedback underscores the potential for flexible working arrangements to boost not only productivity, but also employee happiness and health.
Reflecting on the national results, Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, described the pilot as a resounding success, noting, “We now have greater experience and insight into what it takes for a four-day week to work. People are happier, businesses are thriving, and the evidence is clear: this model can work across the economy. We hope to see it adopted much more broadly in the years ahead.”
Bron Afon’s success is not an isolated story. A Welsh Government-commissioned taskforce, operating under the Workforce Partnership Council, recently spent a year examining the advantages and potential challenges of a four-day working week. Their findings were in line with the pilot’s outcomes, identifying five key benefits: improved work-life balance, better physical and mental health, boosted retention and recruitment, enhanced inclusivity for individuals with caring responsibilities, and, crucially, increased productivity and organisational performance.
The trend towards condensed workweeks is gathering pace not only in Wales but further afield, as businesses reassess traditional employment models in response to changing expectations. Proponents argue that these initiatives are not simply a perk, but a strategic advantage that helps attract and retain top talent in a competitive job market. Detractors, meanwhile, warn of industry-specific challenges and the need for careful implementation.
For Bron Afon, however, the experience has been transformative. As Mr Brunt commented, “I expect that most organisations will be moving in this direction within the next decade.” With clear benefits for staff and the business alike, the Cwmbran-based company is positioning itself at the forefront of changing workplace culture within Wales and beyond.
As attitudes continue to shift about the future of work, Bron Afon’s story adds further momentum to the discussion surrounding shorter working weeks. In a climate where employee wellbeing and productivity are inextricably linked, the Welsh pilot’s positive outcomes suggest other organisations may soon follow suit.