Could advisers and planners cope with a four day work week?

A look at formalising a set-up away from the traditional five day week 

clock • 4 min read

Could all weeks be a bit more restful if we only worked four days? The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes, writes Justin Cash, with little impact on productivity.

Positive results keep pouring in from a major trial where businesses across the economy are working in a radical new way. The basic idea is that you do 80% of the hours. But to get 100% of the pay, you have to do 100% of the work. It got me thinking: what is 100% of the work of an adviser? And could IFAs learn a thing or two from this reduced-hours trial? Advice firms, particularly newer ones, may well set aspirational targets in terms of client numbers, assets, or revenue. But key performance indicators on adviser output do not work like they do in, say, a manufacturing busines...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Feel Good Friday: EQ Investors team completes 17.5-mile charity walk

Feel Good Friday: EQ Investors team completes 17.5-mile charity walk

For Carney’s Community

Professional Adviser
clock 02 October 2026 • 1 min read
'Affluent advice gap' sees unadvised individuals sit on £1.61trn amid commission concerns

'Affluent advice gap' sees unadvised individuals sit on £1.61trn amid commission concerns

The Lang Cat research

Jen Frost
clock 01 October 2026 • 3 min read
Succession Alliance launches first profession-wide succession survey

Succession Alliance launches first profession-wide succession survey

Open to people in all roles working in financial planning firms

Sophia Panayi
clock 29 September 2026 • 1 min read