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Episode details

Radio 4,29 May 2026,13 mins

Available for over a year

Phil Tinline charts the progression of the working week in 5 days. Today, Thank God It's Friday. It's the day many spend the week waiting for, but are we soon to see a four day week? Phil decides to end the week at the place where its always Friday: TGI Fridays restaurant. He speaks to waiting staff, known as 'Dub Dubs' about the Friday feeling. But their global president says Thursday might be the new Friday, so if the 4 day week finally here? Having spent the series thinking about the importance of the five day work week, Phil now ponders whether it is time for it to come to an end. The calls for a four day week are getting louder, especially since the pandemic. But is the 4 day week an unrealistic pipedream, or a foregone conclusion? Phil speaks to those at the vanguard of the four day week, from the people behind one of the largest studies into the phenomenon to those working within the model today. Contributors: TGI Fridays Bluewater Staff Prof Brendan Burchell, University of Cambridge Prof Juliet Schor, Boston College. Author of 'Four Days A Week' Harry Stebbings, Founder 20VC Sam Smith & Pressure Drop Brewing Team Presenter: Phil Tinline Producer: Sam Peach Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini Production Manager: Debbie Waddell

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