The Local Enterprise Partnership for Oxfordshire launched a trial of its new ‘way of working’ in April last year and will continue through to next spring.
OxLEP will be extending its current four-day working week trial through to the end of March 2025, allowing the organisation to gain a further understanding as to how effective the working arrangement is for staff and its stakeholders.
In April last year, OxLEP signed-up to the pilot scheme for an initial six months, originally through to 30 September 2023 – however, given that many of OxLEP’s operational activity peaks during the autumn and winter months, a decision was made to extend the trial period for a further six months, so a greater assessment could take place.
This was subsequently extended through to 30 September this year. Now, an additional six months has been added onto this trial period and OxLEP will continue to function in the same way, through to 31 March 2025.
Directly-employed OxLEP staff working on a full-time basis will continue to work a 30-hour week across four days, with the organisation operating between Monday and Thursday. Its part-time staff will carry on functioning on pro-rata basis and there will be no reduction in pay for any OxLEP member of staff.
Throughout this process, OxLEP has received support and guidance from 4Day Week Global – a not-for-profit organisation that aims to encourage businesses, employees, researchers and governments around the world to better understand the benefits of a four-day working week.
The continuation of the pilot scheme also builds upon the successful implementation of a home-based digital working platform for OxLEP staff, which became active shortly following the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.
The organisation retains its operational hub location at Harwell Campus in the south of the county.
OxLEP’s move to a four-day working week is driven by the company’s desire to be a stand-out ‘employer of choice’ in Oxfordshire and, in doing so, also improve its staff retention, recruitment capabilities and maintain its efficiency too.
When the pilot scheme was originally announced, OxLEP said it did not represent its teams delivering more work in less time, but aimed to create a cultural shift, maintaining operational efficiency whilst working smarter.
OxLEP continues to review the effectiveness of the approach through a variety of measures, including an internal monitoring process and via reporting progress to its Board.
The past 18 months has seen a significant number of businesses also embracing a four-day working week.
Last June, 70 UK companies – representing around 3,300 workers – took part in pilot programme being led by 4 Day Week UK Campaign in partnership with the think tank, Autonomy.
OxLEP previously released a podcast as part of its ‘OxTalks’ series highlighting the four-day working week trial, which you can watch again below.
OxTalks – series one, episode six: 'The changing face of the workplace'
