Sainsbury’s has offered its staff the option of working four days a week, in a bid to evolve its current ways of working and increase flexibility.

The supermarket group has been trialling the four-day week for three months, when employees at its head offices in Holborn, Coventry and Milton Keynes, warehouse workers and store managers across its 1,400 shops took part.

Store staff operating below the level of store managers were not part of the scheme.

According to The Times, staff have been given the option to work their 37.5-hour contracts across the seven-day week but they are not authorised to take consecutive Fridays off.

The grocer’s move follows news that the majority of companies taking part in the world’s largest four-day week trial have chosen to continue the new way of working.

Workers were reported to be happier, businesses performed better and staff retention levels improved.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We are always looking to evolve our ways of working to ensure we can do the best possible job for customers while continuing to be a brilliant place to work for our colleagues. We are currently testing new ways to be more efficient and offer improved flexibility.”

A London store manager added: “No one wants to work full-time anymore. The new condensed working scheme, introduced almost two months ago, means I have more time to spend with my family.”

Topics