A trial that’s giving employees the chance to work just four-days a week is currently being trialled at some companies across the UK.
It may sound a little too good to be true, but it’s not.
This six-month pilot programme is being performed by 4 Day Week Global, along with think tank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week UK campaign, and researchers from Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Boston College, and as part of the trial, employees at each of the companies signed-up to take part will work for just 80% of their normal contracted work week at 100% of their pay for the sole purpose of monitoring the impact it has on productivity, as well as staff welfare.
It’s called the ‘100:80:100’ model – you will get paid for 100% of your work, but for it to be fair, the catch is that you must agree to work at 100% productivity.
Participating businesses and companies will receive support from those organising the trial, and that includes access to experts and pioneers within the field, mentoring, and research by top academics.
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The plan is to get 30 businesses on board, and mirror some of the successful programmes that have already been carried out, and are planned elsewhere in the world this year.
Once the six-month trial is complete, the programme organisers will take a look at the project as a whole, crunch the numbers, and attempt to ascertain what effect the four-day working week had on productivity for the businesses involved, as well as the wellbeing of its workers, and the impact on the environment and gender equality.
Other studies in the past claim to have found that a four-day week is better for both productivity and worker wellbeing, but there is undoubtedly more research to be done, and that’s what this trail is aiming to do.
Speaking on the trial, Joe O’Connor – Pilot Programme Manager for 4 Day Week Global – said: “More and more businesses are moving to productivity focused strategies to enable them to reduce worker hours without reducing pay [and] we are excited by the growing momentum and interest in our pilot program and in the four-day week more broadly.
“The four-day week challenges the current model of work and helps companies move away from simply measuring how long people are ‘at work’, to a sharper focus on the output being produced.
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“2022 will be the year that heralds in this bold new future of work.”
“This scheme has tremendous potential to progress from conversations about the general advantages of a shorter working week to focussed discussions on how organisations can implement it in the best possible way,” added Brendan Burchill, from Autonomy.
Oscar Bobb loan interest ramps up as Manchester City look set to sign Antoine Semenyo
Danny Jones
Interest in Manchester City forward Oscar Bobb appears to be ramping up ahead of the January transfer window, with the club reportedly set to bring in another attacker come the New Year.
Yes, Antoine Semenyo might be on the verge of being the latest incoming, but his arrival could see a minimum of one name heading for the exit door.
According to several sources, there have been plenty of suitors for Oscar Bobb in the Premier League – including Newcastle United and Fulham – but it looks as though another big European team is currently leading the race for his signature.
Multiple outlets are stating that Borussia Dortmund’s pursuit of the Norwegian attacking midfielder/winger is looking the most advanced right now; meanwhile, Man City manager Pep Guardiola has been coy on the subject in his most recent press conference.
🚨🟡⚫️ “Oscar Bobb and Borussia Dortmund in talks? You can ask Oscar, not me…”, says Pep Guardiola. pic.twitter.com/8Al1ron62Q
While Germany looks to be the most likely destination, the 22-year-old’s utmost priority will surely be more regular football, with a hamstring injury having somewhat derailed his progress after making his debut as an academy graduate back in 2023.
Either way, it looks as though the Prem’s hottest prospect, Semenyo, has made up his mind.
Reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shared an update on the situation this week, writing: “Antoine Semenyo, on the verge of joining Man City with deal at final stages. Agreement in place with the player after he indicated City as [his favoured] destination – club to club almost done.”
The Italian journalist has it that “Semenyo set to become first Man City’s [January] signing”, but it’s also worth noting that these two deals could set further transfers in motion besides just Bobb’s.
For instance, elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur are supposedly considering a move for either one of two offensive, albeit still quite recent MCFC signings, Savinho and Omar Marmoush – though it has been reported that Pep is keen to keep the latter at the very least.
What do you see happening, Blues, and more importantly, who do you want to see stay or go?
Adventurous Mancs needed to take part in next series of BBC’s Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? Well, this might just be your calling then.
The BBC is, once again, casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show draws in thousands of viewers each week, and now producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea for the next seried – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Adventurous Mancs are needed to take part in the next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, ‘the physical journey is only half of the story’. That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the next series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 29 March 2026, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Emily Sergeant -
17th January 2022 
