After a successful trial proved a ‘big hit’ with staff, a Wigan-based company is switching to a four-day working week.
Belmont Packaging is a specialist in the plain and printed corrugated card. It has now joined the growing trend of businesses adopting this new way to work permanently.
Belmont Packaging, an e-commerce company like Boxed-Up, started a four-day trial in its manufacturing unit in late 2019.
The trial began to give staff “more time to focus on themselves, their mental health and their loved ones” and proved to be an ‘overwhelming success and will now be rolled out to the rest of the business’ 31 staff from September 20, BusinessLive reports.
Commercial manager Gareth Rollo said: “As well as valuing our customers, business trade partners, and suppliers, we also value our most significant assets, the employees whose hard work, commitment, and dedication make our business the success it is.
“To further recognize this, and to lead the way in employee health and wellbeing, we are delighted to announce an industry-leading change to ways of working which is intended to give our employees a better work-life balance while allowing us to continue giving our customers the first-class products and service they are accustomed to.”
The move comes after recent polls proved the majority of the UK working population would prefer a four-day working week, with a trial currently taking place in Scotland.
A North West business owner has taken to LinkedIn to vent her “controversial” views on the debate surrounding the four-day working week – saying that “every single person counts” for small firms.
Katherine Jones, director of Liverpool-based Think Wine Group, said while she doesn’t “begrudge” staff taking time off.
But she said she “can’t sit here and pretend that I’m some saint business owner” who can allow a four-day week and “provide days off left, right and centre.”
Her post has been viewed hundreds of times and received many comments. It comes as debate continues over whether a four-day week is possible.
According to polls, most UK workers want the Government to pilot the concept in Scotland.
Ms. Jones also runs We Are SN, an influencer marketing agency. She said that this wouldn’t happen at her firms.
She wrote: “Who are these people who give their staff the day off because there’s a football or rugby game on? Or loads of other holidays, or are you happy to introduce a four-day week?! Because it’s NOT ME.
“We are a small team, and every single person counts, so as soon as there’s one mission,g it’s felt massively throughout.
“I also miss their little shiny personalities brightening up my day.
“We get through it, of course, and I would never stop or begrudge them taking the time they need, but I also can’t sit here and pretend that I’m some saint business owner whose more than happy to provide days off left, right and centre and introduce four-day weeks. It feels like the whole of LinkedIn is currently preaching this?!”
Ms. Jones, whose firm Think Wines has just launched a range of 200ml “baby bottles,” added: “As a team, we do loads of fun stuff together, from events to regatta races to London trips and trips to Ibiza we do it all (all with an element of work always included).
“But I will not be jumping on this new bandwagon of ‘I’m the best boss on earth I offer days off left right and center if you do not, you are a slave driver.
“I’m fair and understanding, but at the end of the day, I’ve got a business to run, grow and scale, and I want to provide the best possible customer service, which requires staff over tech.
“When I was an employee,e I’d work 12 hour days as an absolute minimum with no additional pay, and I thought that was normal (it wasn’t,) but working four days per week and having football games off is also not.
“A small business means all hands on deck, so in my opinion, if you can’t take the heat, then get out of the kitchen.”