Dunelm is the latest retailer to begin trialling a four-day week for its employees, Retail Week has learned.
The homewares and furniture retailer is conducting a limited trial of a hybrid four-day week in selected departments.
In a note from a staff member seen by Retail Week, it was revealed that Dunelm was testing different four-day working patterns for workers in selected departments with a view to expanding the initiative.
The four-day pattern was also being offered as part of hybrid working, meaning staff could choose to work at home or in the office during the shortened week.
The retailer confirmed the trial was ongoing but said it was too early to report on its findings.
Dunelm is the latest in a series of retailers looking to move staff to a four-day model, with Sainsbury’s announcing it was trialling a similar initiative last week.
Sainsbury’s said it had been trialling the four-day week for three months, with employees at its head offices in Holborn, Coventry and Milton Keynes, warehouse workers and store managers across its 1,400 shops taking part.
The uptake in four-day week trials follows the news that the majority of companies taking part in them have chosen to roll them out permanently.
According to these trials, workers have reported being happier, businesses have performed better and staff retention levels have also improved.
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