Waterwise has moved to a permanent Four Day Week for its staff – bringing benefits in staff wellbeing, financial stability, and impact on driving water efficiency in the UK.

After a full year’s trial, organisational and staff metrics at Waterwise showed that not only had staff wellbeing – already at a high level – improved, but finances were even stronger than a comparative year. Crucially, external impact in delivering against Waterwise’s vision that water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by everyone, could clearly be seen.

Nicci Russell, Waterwise CEO said: ‘For the trial we designed changes to how we work, together. It’s amazing how much time moving to a default of 30 minutes rather than an hour for meetings can save you! I am so proud that Waterwise is in the vanguard of social and economic change, in moving to a Four Day Week, first as a trial and now permanently. The Five Day Week is an accident of social history – there is no specific reason for it, it was simply a reduction from the 6 and 7 day week! At Waterwise we have shown that it can reap fantastic dividends. It has also helped raise our Waterwise voice and vision nationally and internationally to people and organisations who hadn’t heard of us before – helping us in our water efficiency mission.’

Laura White, Waterwise Projects and Research Manager and Wellbeing Champion, said: ‘Both the Four Day Week trial and making the move to it permanently are key planks in Waterwise’s Wellbeing Action Plan, as part of our commitment to having a positive (not just neutral) impact on staff wellbeing. On a personal level, I certainly feel like I have more balance in my life, reducing my overall stress levels and improving my wellbeing.’