It follows a successful pilot phase

Brook – the sexual health charity - has announced it will work a four day week with staff receiving the same salary as previously.

It effectively means staff will work 20% less hours than before.

Not all staff have been able to take advantage of the move; however the charity said more than 93% of its workforce have moved to a four-day, 30-hour working week.

Full-time staff have had their hours reduced from 37.5 hours over five days to 30 hours over four days and part-time staff have had their hours reduced by 20 per cent. 

The charity, which delivers sexual health services in England, says it is the first organisation providing clinical services to permanently adopt a four-day week.

Brook’s six-month trial began in August last year and found 60% of participants reported an increase in their life satisfaction.

The trial also found 87% of participants reported increased or maintained motivation and effectiveness.

Helen Marshall, chief executive of Brook, said: “Our talented employees work tirelessly to improve the sexual health of their local communities, and it is part of our duty to them to have initiatives in place that support their welfare. 

“The four-day week pilot was a resounding success. Participants reported significant increases in mental and physical wellbeing, along with decreases in stress, sickness and burnout. 

“Crucially though, this was not at the expense of our services, as we continued to receive high levels of user satisfaction from both our education and clinical clients.

“This demonstrates our ability to implement new, innovative ways of working, while continuing to deliver the high-quality care and support that people expect from Brook.”