Engineering firm shifts to four-day week

A WESTCOUNTRY engineering company is planning to introduce a four-day working week for all staff.

- HANNAH BAKER

Applied Automation, which supplies technical products to a range of industries, said the move would support employee wellbeing, improve work-life balance and foster long-term sustainable growth.

Under the new model, staff will work reduced hours across four days while maintaining full pay and existing benefits. The initiative will take effect from September 1.

The 40-year-old business will continue to operate five days a week, with a coordinated rota system in place. Applied Automation said all departments would remain fully staffed throughout the traditional working week, allowing the business to maintain “seamless” operations, customer support and production output Monday to Friday.