Asda Experiments With Four-Day Work Weeks For Employees

• Asda has been trialing a new four-day working week for managers in 20 stores since September 2023.
• The initiative aims to improve work-life balance and retain senior employees amid previous significant cost cuts.
• This change is part of a broader trend in retail for more flexible working patterns.

Supermarket giant Asda has initiated a trial of a four-day working week for thousands of its managerial staff. This move, part of an effort to rebuild relations with senior employees, comes after a period of considerable cost reductions. These cuts had led to a significant turnover of managers, which negatively affected the stability and capability of store teams. Asda's decision mirrors a growing trend in the retail sector towards more flexible working arrangements.

The trial, which began in September 2023, involves various new working patterns across 20 stores. Asda has expressed its commitment to exploring different ways of working that are mutually beneficial for its colleagues and the business. The supermarket chain has also invested over £325 million in raising pay for store-based and logistics staff since 2022.

Ruby Flanagan, Money Reporter at The Telegraph, reported that the trial includes not only shorter working weeks but also more flexible shift patterns. This change is expected to enhance both worker and customer experiences. Asda's leadership structural trial was introduced in response to a 13.9% rise in manager turnover in 2022, which necessitated a reassessment of management strategies.

Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented, "Asda's four-day work week trial could mark a significant shift in retail employment practices, offering a more balanced approach to work and life. It's a positive step for the industry."