Smiley Monroe has been using a four-day workweek for more than a year, and the company has seen benefits in the mental health of its staff.

"At Smiley Monroe, our core value of 'one big family' means our employees' families are an extension of our business," stated Jayne Peters, director of people and culture. "We consider it important to put our workers' health and work-life balance first."

“That’s why our four-day work week, with no reduction in salary, isn’t just about reducing hours. It’s about ensuring our people have the time and energy to fulfil family commitments and enjoy life, all while maintaining their productivity and job satisfaction."

“This approach not only gives us a competitive edge in attracting talent, but also aligns with the shifting expectations of today’s workforce.”

With this showing positive results it may well create a trend in other Northern Irish businesses to follow suit.