More than 50 organisations collectively employing over 1,400 individuals transitioned to a four-day working week in 2025, according to new figures.

The 4 Day Week Foundation revealed that the total number of employees now benefiting from this model stands at over 6,000 across 253 accredited businesses.

The newly certified employers represent a broad spectrum of industries, including business, consulting, management, charities, technology, retail, housing, engineering, marketing, arts and entertainment, manufacturing, gaming, recruitment, heritage, healthcare, and education.

London saw the highest number of these new accreditations, with Scotland and the North West also showing significant adoption.

Joe Ryle, campaign director for the foundation, said the latest figures show that UK employers no longer have any practical barriers to making the shift.

“These companies are proving that there is nothing stopping organisations in the UK from moving to a four-day week,” he said.

“Across virtually every sector and region, employers are showing that shorter working weeks boost productivity, improve wellbeing and help attract and retain talent – all without cutting pay.

“The question is no longer whether it works, but how quickly others will follow.”

A total of 53 newly accredited organisations permanently adopted a four-day week with no loss of pay last year, the foundation said.

Researchers in the US found last year that working four days a week can help workers protect their mental health.

A team at Boston College said their landmark study had revealed the shift was associated with a high level of satisfaction on the part of both employers and employees.

More than 100 companies and nearly 2,900 workers in the U.S., U.K. Australia, Canada, and Ireland were involved in the study.

That included an improvement in productivity and growth in revenue, a positive impact on physical and mental health, and less stress and burnout.

A 2024 poll of more than 2,000 full-time U.S. workers found that more than half of respondents reported feeling exhausted from chronic workplace stress within the past year.

The main reason that employees had maintained productivity, according to their assessment, is that companies have decreased or cut activities with questionable or low value, including meetings. Instead, meetings became phone calls and conversations via messaging apps.

Another key factor was that employees would use their third day off for doctor’s appointments and other personal errands that they might otherwise try to cram into a work day.

The study, published Monday in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, builds on previous research that has found similar benefits, and comes on the heels of a recent study that found long working hours may alter brain structure.

New Delhi: Until five years ago, India’s doors were nearly closed to Chinese companies. Business organisations campaigned vigorously for boycotts of Chinese goods, and public sentiment strongly supported such measures.

The political situation changed after developments in the United States. As anti-India statements from Washington became more frequent, the government began looking at new strategies. Now, officials are preparing to relax some of the restrictions on Chinese companies while keeping sensitive sectors protected.

Experts say that economic impact, employment and technology transfer are taking precedence over political symbolism.

A senior government said that since 2020, Chinese firms were barred from bidding for Indian government contracts and restricted in making investments. Within the system, a strong consensus has emerged that investment creating jobs and strengthening domestic capacity should be welcomed.

Strategic sectors such as telecommunications, defense and critical infrastructure are off-limits to Chinese companies.

Discussions are also underway on allowing Chinese companies to participate in government procurement in non-strategic sectors. The focus is on investments that enhance employment opportunities and technology.

Companies would be evaluated on their capabilities and economic contribution rather than nationality. The aim is to attract capital while safeguarding national interests.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules are also expected to see controlled relaxation. Since 2020, India had tightened scrutiny over investments from countries sharing land borders, requiring pre-approval before allowing them.

Now, the rules may be eased in sectors where domestic industries can benefit from foreign investment, especially in renewable energy and manufacturing. Officials stress that these adjustments do not remove security measures but allow controlled access where investment and technology are needed.

Government contracts could also see relaxed restrictions for Chinese participation. Some of these rules may be adjusted to revive commercial ties and reduce project delays. Economic reasoning underpins these potential changes.

Officials say that when Indian manufacturers are forced to import goods that could locally be produced, it leads to job losses at home. They also point out that capital then gets routed through countries like Japan or Mauritius that reduces the impact of nationality-based restrictions.

Any policy relaxation will be selective, applying only in sectors where national security concerns are minimal. Data-sensitive and strategic technologies will continue under strict oversight, while opportunities for investment in other sectors will expand.

Industry leaders emphasise that easing restrictions must occur under strict monitoring to ensure critical supply inputs are secured and strategic interests are not compromised.

India’s trade recalibration with China shows a strategic pivot aimed at balancing economic growth, domestic employment and technological advancement while maintaining oversight over critical sectors.