Why We Work a 4-Day Week at Cottam Brush – And Why It Works So Well
At Cottam Brush, we believe that how we work is just as important as what we produce. That’s why in 2022, we officially transitioned to a 4-day working week across the entire business, without reducing pay or cutting back on hours. All our employees now work full-time (37 hours) spread over Monday to Thursday, and every Friday, our business closes its doors.
This move wasn’t sudden, it was the result of years of gradual change. We first reduced our Friday hours, carefully watching how it impacted productivity, customer service, and team wellbeing. When we saw the benefits stacking up, we made the leap and haven’t looked back since.
Why We Made the Change
As a smaller business, we know we can’t always compete with larger companies on salary alone. But what we can offer is a work-life balance that’s hard to beat. The 4-day week is a major part of how we attract and retain talented people and why so many of our team stick around.
It’s also practical. Working overtime is still possible on a Friday, so production needs can still be met when needed. Plus, it makes taking time off easier and more flexible. Travelling on a Friday means less holiday used, and our approach to hourly holiday booking adds another layer of personal freedom especially when combined with the flexibility of our Hybrid Working Policy and Flexible Working policies.
The Environmental Benefits
Closing for one full day a week has had a positive impact on our environmental footprint. Running a large industrial space like ours for one fewer day means:
- Lower electricity usage for lighting and machinery
- Less gas consumption for heating and hot water
- Fewer car journeys to and from the site
It’s a meaningful contribution to reducing our carbon footprint and something our whole team is proud to be part of.
But It’s Not Without Challenges
Of course, no change is perfect. There are trade-offs we have to manage carefully:
- We’re mindful of ‘slow Thursdays’, making sure it doesn’t become the new version of what Fridays used to be.
- Bank holidays falling on Fridays are lost, as we’re already closed.
- There’s a chance we miss out on some sales by being unavailable one day a week.
- With only four working days, meetings, visitors, and production schedules must be more tightly managed.
That said, none of these challenges have outweighed the benefits and we’re constantly fine-tuning how we work to stay ahead.
Closing on Fridays also means clear communication with our customers is essential. We make sure everyone we work with knows that Thursday is our last working day of the week and that orders and communication resume the following Monday. We do however remain flexible where we can and are happy to make exceptions for pre-arranged meetings or urgent needs.
What Our Team Says
The real proof of success? Our people. Here’s what a couple of team members had to say:
“The obvious benefit is a 3-day weekend, which allows me to help with childcare and see more of my granddaughter. That said, working longer hours from Monday to Thursday means I’m often too tired to do much in the evenings. Still, I couldn’t — and wouldn’t — go back to a five-day working week.”
– David Leathead, Production Engineer
“A 4-day working week is such a benefit. At first, I was apprehensive about the longer days and how I would feel, but honestly, you get used to it so fast, especially when you start benefiting from that Friday off. I now feel I don’t just live to work — I actually have time for myself (that isn’t just chores and food shopping preparing to go back to work again). I feel like my holidays go further and find I’m a lot more productive at work because of all of this.”
– Chelsie Brown, Marketing Manager
That sentiment is echoed across the business. Longer weekends, greater flexibility, and better work-life balance have made a tangible difference not just in how we work, but in how we live.
The Results?
Since making the shift, productivity remains strong, employee engagement is high, and we’re running more sustainably than ever. We’ve proven that a modern manufacturing business can embrace a new way of working, one that’s good for people, planet, and performance.
We believe the 4-day week isn’t just a trend, it’s a smarter, more sustainable way to work.