On Wednesday, the Scottish Government announced the results of a year-long pilot trial of a four-day work week at two public sector bodies: South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB), both located in Scotland. The trial involved condensing working hours into four days with no reduction in pay or benefits.
The evaluation, conducted by the Autonomy Institute, found that 98% of staff reported improved morale and motivation. At AiB, mental health improved by 18.4%, and fatigue and burnout decreased by the same margin. Additionally, 46.8% of AiB staff reported greater satisfaction with their time. At SOSE, the proportion of staff who felt "very satisfied" with their work-life balance rose dramatically from 4% before the pilot to 84% by the end of the trial. Furthermore, 83% of SOSE staff reported reduced stress, and 98% believed the change improved motivation and morale.
The pilot also saw a 25.7% reduction in sick days taken for psychological reasons. To maintain service delivery, days off were staggered throughout the week, allowing continuous operation and flexibility to cancel leave if necessary. Both organizations extended the pilot beyond the initial period—SOSE for six months and AiB for two months.
Despite the positive outcomes, Finance Minister Ivan McKee stated that the Scottish Government will not make the four-day week permanent at this time. However, he noted that the pilot identified more efficient and innovative working practices that will be shared across the public sector to support reform.
Will Stronge, chief executive of the Autonomy Institute, commented that the pilot demonstrated benefits for both workers and employers in the public sector, including improved productivity and well-being. He emphasized the importance of such advancements as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in workplaces.
The pilot was part of a broader Scottish Government initiative launched in 2023, inviting public sector bodies to participate in trials aimed at reducing working hours without pay cuts. Staff with caregiving responsibilities were particularly supportive, describing the experience as "life-changing." The trial's success has sparked calls from unions and advocacy groups for wider adoption of the four-day work week across Scotland's public sector.
Sources: BBC News, STV News, The Guardian, Daily Record (all reports published on Wednesday, August 27, 2025).
