Campaign for a four-day week in civil service

The PCS public and commercial services union Efra group, which represents workers in areas including the environment, food and rural affairs department, Natural England and the Forestry Commission, has stepped up its campaign for a four-day week trial to improve productivity and wellbeing.

It held lunchtime education sessions to mobilise colleagues and allies following “a hugely successful campaign launch” in November 2023 and the delivery of a petition to the permanent secretary in December. The union says the UK has one of the longest working weeks in Europe and some of the worst economic and health outcomes.