Its time for a Shorter Working Week.
The Shorter Working Week campaign has been launched by the CWU Telecoms and Financial Services Executive to secure a meaningful reduction in working hours for no loss of pay right across the sectors covered by T&FS.
This is an ambitious campaign, but the idea is growing in profile and popularity and with the transformative impact it would have, it is undoubtedly something worth fighting for.
Case for a Shorter Working Week – Download PDF
NATIONAL SHORTER WORKING WEEK ACTIVITY. 9th – 13th MARCH 2026
Some of our branch members and officers showing support for the SWW Campaign during the activity week.
Despite the growing national and international movement calling for fewer working hours with no loss of pay, and the expanding body of evidence showing benefits for workers and employers alike, we know that companies will need considerable persuasion to consider any trial. This is why the involvement of union members is so important- companies are only likely to engage in talks for a trial if the breadth and depth of their employees’ support for it is visible.
During the activity week, we’re asking members and branches to demonstrate support for the campaign as a first step to pushing employers to agree to trialling a shorter working week. This initiative is critical to its success.
I’ll be writing to our members directly to advise them of how they can show their support and asking them to contact branches for information on anything that will be happening locally.
Karen Rose
If you have any questions, please contact ShorterWorkingWeek@cwu.org
Feb 2026 – Two opposing views on the subject of the Shorter Working Week –
The tech firms embracing a 72-hour working week – BBC News Article
The Dutch love four-day working weeks, but are they sustainable? – BBC News Article
Over the past couple of years, general interest in the idea of a shorter working week has increased. In this country, hundreds of employers have been experimenting with reducing hours for no loss of pay with positive results, including:
· Better work/life balance
· Lower levels of stress
· Lower staff turnover
· Greater workplace productivity
The CWU’s own member survey from early 2025 also supported this, see below.
Case for a Shorter Working Week – A report summarising the outcomes of the T&FS survey
CWU members in T&FS recognised employers, voiced overwhelming support for the idea. Members expressed the desire to use their extra time for leisure activities, caring responsibilities, or just getting some breathing space in their busy lives.
The main goal of this campaign is to deliver a Shorter Working Week in as many workplaces as possible. The first campaign phase will aim for trial runs of a reduction in working hours within recognised employers. Persuading employers to agree to a trial run is a key initial step and much of that persuasion will come from union members.
This can only be delivered with members’ backing and action, showing their employer how strongly they feel about this and encouraging colleagues to join CWU and get involved.
You can sign up to the campaign mailing list Here
Useful links:
4 Day Week Foundation | Campaign for a Four-Day Week
The results are in: the UK’s four-day week pilot – The Autonomy Institute