Will 2022 be the year of the Four Day Week?

• Atom bank’s introduction of a four-day week has been a success, with no negative impact on customer service or operations
• People are likely to continue considering whether their work/life balance is keeping them truly happy and healthy in 2022
• Atom wants and expects more companies to introduce four-day working weeks next year, as the benefits become clear

The 1st January 2022 will mark two months since Atom bank became the largest UK business, and the first bank, to move all employees to a four-day working week, with no change in salary. In that time, Atom has seen no evidence of any negative impact on customer service or operations.

Since the introduction of the four-day week, there has also been a dramatic increase in searches for jobs at Atom, and a 500% increase in applications for open roles. Staff surveys are also showing employees feel less stress and look forward to work each day with the change in working practice. . This is a recognition of Atom taking the lead in helping to change the nature of work, through providing much greater flexibility for employees, with all the mental and physical benefits this can bring.

Anne-Marie Lister, Chief People Officer at Atom, said:

“Our adoption of a four-day working week has been a huge success, and we are proud of how well our employees have adapted, continuing to offer the excellent level of customer service that Atom is known for. We firmly believe that a four-day week is the future of work for many.

“The new year often brings about a desire in many people to change something about how they live their lives. We want and expect to see more companies introducing increasingly flexible working practices in 2022, as people continue to reconsider what they want from their careers. COVID-19 continues to impact us all, and we believe companies can do more to help their employees maintain a healthier work/life balance.”

ENDS

For more details journalists can contact:

For Lansons

Ed Hooper, edh@lansons.com 07783 387713

Ed Shelley, EdS@lansons.com 07532 093309

For Atom

Leigh Peacock-Goodwin, Leigh.Peacock-Goodwin@atombank.co.uk

About Atom bank

Atom bank launched operations in April 2016, offering market-leading Fixed Saver accounts and secured business lending for small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs’), followed by its automated mobile mortgage proposition in December 2016. Atom launched an Instant Saver in September 2020. With a competitive rate, no short-term bonus, no limits on withdrawals and no minimum amount required at opening, the instant saver offers people much-needed flexibility while their cash works harder for them.

Atom is a mobile only and customer first bank. Based in the North East of England with a team of over 400 people, they’re here to do the right thing by their customers with outstanding levels of customer experience whilst taking the fight to the incumbents with exceptional levels of efficiency. At the heart of the bank is the app, with an award-winning customer support team on hand to help with any queries through phone, chat, email and social media.

Atom is an engaged and active part of the North East Community and in 2017 announced a four-year STEM partnership with the Prince’s Trust in North East England.

The Atom executive team are highly experienced, having built and run some of the most well-respected banks in the UK. CEO Mark Mullen has 30 years’ experience in the sector and was previously CEO at the multi- award-winning telephone and internet bank first direct. The team is supported by a strong non-exec board, chaired by Bridget Rosewell CBE.