OX IT Solutions has introduced a 1pm finish on Friday afternoons with no reduction to salaries, to give staff a 2.5-day weekend, in order to promote a healthier work-life balance. The Kidlington based team specialises in systems, cyber security, hardware and software and wireless solutions, providing a ‘one stop shop’ for IT support. As part of the move an on-call rota has been created to ensure a technician will always be on hand if a client requires support out of hours.

Chris Cope, OX IT Solutions director, said: “We have seen the positive impact a shorter working week can have on staff, their overall productivity and wellbeing in companies that have successfully trialled it.

We’re always striving to ensure we are a great place to work and that our colleagues fulfil their professional ambitions with us and deliver for our clients, but also lead a good quality of life outside of work. By reducing working hours and keeping salaries the same, we feel we’re allowing our team to feel valued, energised and motivated to accomplish their roles to the best of their ability. The experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive and we hope it will become a permanent structure that inspires other businesses to follow suit.”

A recent report commissioned by the Four Day Week campaign revealed shortening workers’ contracted hours would reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by 117,000 tonnes of CO2 per week – the equivalent of removing 1.3 million cars off the road annually.

OX IT Solutions has taken inspiration from Iceland where 86% of the country’s workforce are now working reduced hours for the same pay following a successful trial.

Workers reported feeling less stressed, adding that their work-life balance had improved and they had more time to spend with their families, take part in activities and complete household chores.