The workforce is about to get more power than it’s ever had. It’s about time

Shifting the balance and prioritising the welfare of employees cannot just be a reaction to circumstance, says Clare Munn. It is an essential part of running any business

‘In 1934, the weekend became official Boots policy, inspiring a nationwide shift to the five-day working week’, writes Clare Munn. Could we soon see another shift? (Getty Images)

In 1933, John Boot was looking for a solution to end the redundancies that were commonplace at Boots corporation. A new factory had opened that year, and the uptick in efficiency meant surplus stock was a constant threat to his workers’ jobs. Company morale was low.

His solution was to close the factory on Saturdays and Sundays but keep the same number of workers on the same pay. The impact was monumental. The redundancies slowed and his workers were happier, resulting in higher productivity and fewer absences. The weekend became official Boots policy in 1934, inspiring a nationwide shift to the five-day working week.

The introduction of the five-day week marked a new era for workplace culture. The value of workers’ wellbeing was recognised at an institutional level, bringing a major shift in power from employer to employee. And we’re seeing a similar shift now.