Band 8 model answer

There is growing interest in the idea that businesses should adopt a four-day working week. Having considered both sides, I believe the advantages of this change clearly outweigh the disadvantages.

The benefits for employees and employers alike are considerable. A shorter week gives workers an extra day to rest, exercise, and spend time with their families, which reduces stress and the risk of burnout. Well-rested staff tend to be more focused and productive, so the same amount of work can often be completed in fewer hours. A widely reported trial in Iceland found that workers maintained their output while reporting much higher wellbeing, and companies elsewhere have seen lower staff turnover and reduced overheads such as electricity and heating once offices close for an extra day.

The disadvantages, though, should not be ignored. Some industries, hospitals, shops, and emergency services among them, must operate every day, which makes a uniform four-day week impractical. Compressing the same workload into fewer days can also intensify pressure, and businesses may need to hire additional staff to maintain coverage, raising costs.

These difficulties, however, are largely confined to particular sectors and can be managed through staggered schedules, whereas the gains in wellbeing and productivity apply broadly. A healthier, more motivated workforce ultimately benefits the wider economy as well as the individual.

In conclusion, although a four-day week is not suitable for every industry and may raise short-term costs, the improvements in employee wellbeing and efficiency are, in my view, more significant, so its advantages outweigh its disadvantages.